Lagos State Football Association, LSFA, says the association will sanction any coach, team and spectator who delve into the act of hooliganism at match venues of the 2023 LSFA/BETWGB Lagos FA Cup which will kicks- of on Saturday, February 18th, 2023, at all the accredited venues.
LSFA Chairrman, Seyi Akinwunmi, who is the former first Vice- President, of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, made the statement at a media briefing on Wednesday to conduct the competition’s draw at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
While addressing the coaches and other major stakeholders at the news conference, Akinwunmi, advised the teams, which comprise 75 male and five female teams to adhere strictly to the tournament’s rules and regulations, adding that the LSFA with the support of BETWGB and other corporate bodies, has built a solid football culture in the state and it could not be destroyed.
The LSFA Boss, who alongside the association’s board members, are always delighted to organise the annual FA Cup sponsored by BETWGB, said the competition had been adjudged as the best, adding that the championship and other tournaments being organised by the LSFA had been very effective and attractive at all the association’s affiliated football divisions, Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos and Epe.
As he thanked the major sponsor for its unflinching support in elevating the standard of football to greater height, the Akinwunmi advised the participating squads to arrive at the match venue in good time while the match officials are expected to be at the pitch an hour before the commencement of a match.
The Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Gafaar, who was at the briefing urged the participating teams in the to play according to the rules for the purpose of achieving a hitch-free tournament.
The association’s vice Chairman, Tade Azeez, who is the President of Nigeria Referee Association, NRA, warned the registered teams not to pave the way for soccer hooliganism during and after matches.
Tade charged members of the state’s Football Referee Association, who would be officiating at the tournament to prove their worth as qualified referees to handle top class football matches without hitches.
He appreciated the management of Bet Winners Golden Bet for being with the LSFA for nine years, adding that the association does not regret establishing a relationship with the organisation which products had added quality value to the football competition.
The Products Manager, Bet Winners Golden Bet, Remilekun Bademosi, said the company is always pretty happy to uplift the standard of football and also to keep the youths out of criminal activities through the LSFA/BETWGB which would be played at five centres namely Sir Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Strong Towers Academy, Ikorodu, Unity Primary School playground, Ajegunle, Legacy Pitch, Surulere and Abati Barracks, Pitch, Ojuelegba in Surulere.
According to her, the company had concluded a plan to reward outstanding players from the quarter final stage as branded jerseys would also be given to clubs which reached the stage.
