Imo FA reprimands Imo SWAN for his decision to boycott Kun Khalifat matches

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The Imo State Football Association has reprimanded the Imo State Sports Writers Association, Imo SWAN, over their decision to boycott Kun Khalifat FC matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

A statement from the football body reads: “The attention of the Imo State Football Association, Imo FA, has been drawn to the press release of the Imo State Sports Writers Association, Imo SWAN, in which it has stated through a resolution of Congress to boycott all advertising and media activities involving Kun Khalifat FC until further notice.

“Normally, the Imo FA would not have bothered to react to the statement, but for the sake of clarity it became necessary to provide this explanation.

“As the body vested with the power to ensure safety and security of life at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, venue of the NPFL Week 2 match between Imo State based Kun Khalifat FC and the visiting Kano based Barau FC, the Imo FA on the day of the match took proactive measures aimed at preventing breach of law and order within the stadium following complaints raised against Mr Cosmos Chukwuemeka, a sports journalist based in the state and President of Imo SWAN.

“And based on complaints raised against Chukwuemeka by one of the teams involved in the match which has the capacity to develop into a security threat, the Imo FA asked Mr Chukwuemeka to wait for the matter to be resolved before being allowed in. It is on record that when the issue was resolved with the team involved, Mr Chukwuemeka was allowed to watch the match.

“It is known that contrary to the content of Imo SWAN’s statement that its members were barred from entering the main pool, the initial restriction due to the safety procedure was only against Mr Chukwuemeka and not against Imo SWAN members.

“Other members of Imo SWAN, including visiting journalists and media workers with the media crew of the participating teams, were granted access and carried out their legal duties.

“After gaining access to the stadium for the match, the Imo FA considered that the matter had been resolved allowing all parties to carry out their normal routine of duties.

“While urging football stakeholders in the state to take advantage of the peace and conflict resolution mechanisms of the Imo FA at all times, he condemned the hasty nature of taking hasty decisions on matters affecting round football match in Imo without consultations with the football body.

“Imo FA will continue to provide an enabling environment and platform for all stakeholders to thrive for the good of the game.”