BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
A strong warning has gone to the teams that are participating in the forthcoming 2024/25 Lagos Divisional Football Association League to stay away from match fixing and play to the rules and regulations.
This was disclosed by the chairman technical committee of Lagos State Divisional Football Association, Remmy Awosanya at the press and draw ceremony held recently at the Onikan Stadium.
Awosanya, while addressing the participants highlighted the danger of match fixing on the image of the league noted that the association would not condone such practice from any participating team.
He noted that the issue of match fixing is not only surface in grassroots football alone also at the international stage and reminded the coaches and club owners not to sell their matches no matter their position on the table during the league.
“We are going to monitor all the matches with kneen interest and we would set up a discplinary committee to look into issues of protest,match fixing and other violent conducts during and after the match.
“However we are not going to relax on match fixing issue because the image of this league is at stake.Any team found wanting or guilty of match fixing, such team would be seriously penalised reported on the media space or possibly face explusion,”he said.
Awosanya expressed satisfaction with the number of teams registered and promised that all the teams would be fairly treated throughout the league.
Meanwhile a total of 32 teams were drawn into four groups and eight teams each with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the super eight playoff.
The season-ending super eight playoff will determine two teams that would represent the division at the Lagos State League.
Group A consist of Amsterdam FA, Future Star FC, Begi Stars FC,Sistus FC, Elite Stars FC, 12 Angels FC, City Sports and King FC of Ikoyi.
Group B made up of Ayicrip Nelis FA,FC Phoenix Boys,Ikorodu City FA,F8Ballers Africa, Varsity FC,Mojisola Adetoro FC,Adebayo Abdulamin FC and Embassy King FC.
Others in the group C are Honour FC,Olufunke FC,Active FC, Windy City FC, Foursquare FC, Spring Soca United,Michael FA and JS Sports FC.
While group D are made up of Grace Sports Chanel FC,Baraka FA,Royal Empire,Triple A Goshen,FC Gemstone,Divine Praise Feeders, Anthony City FC and The Future Academy.
Speaking earlier Chairman of the LDFA, Saheed Bakare affirmed his commitment of the association to stage a hitch free tournament,while commending the league organizing committee under the guidance of the LDFA Technical Committee Chairman, Awosanya for his dedication and technical support for the success of the draws.
The LDFA League is scheduled to run for three months with all matches, holding at the Maracana Stadium starting from July, 1, 2025.
