NLO playoff match ends in controversy after FC Ebedei walk off in Akure

A controversial end to a Nationwide League One (NLO) promotional playoff match occurred Saturday in Akure when FC Ebedei players walked off the pitch, leading to the game's abandonment. The incident followed a serious injury to Yewa Football Academy's goalkeeper, Olalere Ridwan.

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A football match cannot end because one side decides it is over.

The match, played at the Akure Township Stadium, was deadlocked at 0-0 when the collision happened late in the first half. The official match commissioner's report stated that the injured goalkeeper lost consciousness and required immediate medical attention. The severity of his condition necessitated urgent intervention.

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I was in the stands and found it deeply disturbing, especially as the match was being live streamed. Viewers witnessed a breakdown of order, which does no good to the image of the league.

Despite efforts by match officials to resume play, FC Ebedei players left the field around the 45th minute and did not return. After the mandatory waiting period, the referee officially called off the encounter. However, Yewa Football Academy officials have contested the narrative that the injury alone caused the abandonment.

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It is important to correct the record, the match was not abandoned because of the injury, but because one team chose to walk away.

Mojeed Ibrahim, Chairman of Yewa Football Academy, described the situation as "a troubling moment for Nigerian football." He insisted that FC Ebedei's owner, Barrister Churchill Oliseh, allegedly instructed his players to leave the field without any directive from the referee. "A football match cannot end because one side decides it is over," Ibrahim stated, emphasizing that collisions are a normal part of football. Yewa Football Academy also confirmed their reserve goalkeeper was ready to replace the injured player, asserting the match was prepared to continue.

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Contrary to reports, the game was not abandoned due to a collision between our goalkeeper and an FC Ebedei player. Our second-choice goalkeeper had already been cleared by the Reserve Referee to replace the injured keeper and the game was ready to continue.