Flykite Productions, organisers of the ongoing Naija Super 8 football competition, have imposed a N200, 000 fine on each of Sporting Lagos and Katsina United for their players refusal to abide by the jersey-sharing clause in the agreement signed by all clubs.
This was announced in a statement issued after the decisive Group A match featuring both teams at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, on Thursday. At the end of the game, won 1-0 by Sporting Lagos, both sets of players threw a few shirts to their friends in the VIP section.
Flykite stated that in an 11 July letter addressed to all clubs, it warned against trend of refusal to throw jersey tops to fans after it observed that players were going back into the dressing rooms with their tops. The organisers added that it threatened to fine defaulting clubs.
“A few days ago, we wrote to all the clubs that we would no longer condone players’ refusal to throw jerseys to fans, warning that we will fine clubs whose players go against this directive because they agreed to it before the tournament.
“We were shocked to see the choreographed throwing of a few jerseys by players of Sporting Lagos and Katsina United.
“Each club at Naija Super 8 was given a jersey subsidy for the production of kits because we wanted them to throw them to the fans.
“The objective of this tournament is to rekindle affection for domestic club football and jersey sharing, to build affinity, is one of the initiatives to aid the rekindling.
“For their refusal, the two clubs are fined N200, 000 each,” the statement said.