FIFA Bans Abuja Stadium Over Invasion, Vandalisation Of Facilities

World football governing body, FIFA  has reportedly banned the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, following the invasion and destruction of the stadium facilities.

Naija News reports that angry fans on Tuesday went on a rampage and vandalised stadium facilities in protest of the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The angry fans also destroyed other facilities in the 60,000 capacity stadium, despite attempts by security operatives to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

Reacting to the match coordinator’s report on the incident, FIFA banned the stadium from holding international football matches indefinitely.

According to the Guardian, the football body also vowed to impose more sanctions on Nigeria for its failure to provide adequate security during the Super Eagles versus Ghana match.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has set up a panel to probe the invasion of the national stadium and the destruction of facilities by angry fans.

In a statement on Thursday, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, announced that a nine-member committee has been constituted to investigate the invasion of the pitch and vandalization of the stadium facilities.

The minister said the terms of reference for the investigative panel will be made known to the members in due course.

Dare disclosed that the investigative panel would be chaired by a former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sanni Usman (rtd).