• Match stopped at half time

Matchday 29 Glo Premier League tie between Kwara United and Warri Wolves was not concluded at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin on Saturday after the centre referee, Chrisantus Okoro from Imo State discontinued the game at halftime.

Okoro in a chat with SportingLife noted that he had to take the action after the Assistant Referee 2 Durunna CIB from Abia State was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance after he was allegedly beaten in the match officials’ changing room at halftime.

Okoro said it was obvious that the security of the match officials could not be guaranteed at the stadium, hence his decision to call it off to safe himself and the other match officials from further molestation.

“The game in Ilorin between Kwara United and Warri Wolves was stopped by me at halftime after one of the Assistant Referees(AR2), Durunna CIB from Abia State was beaten by the home fans and was rushed to the hospital.

“There was no way I would have continue the game in that kind of atmosphere where my life and the remaining match officials is not guaranteed. I don’t know the current fate of the AR2. What has he done to deserve the type of treatment meted out to him? It is so unfortunate. I refused entreaty to continue with the game and my report will be forwarded to the appropriate quarters,” Okoro told SportingLife on telephone.

The game was goalless before the alleged mayhem was recorded at halftime.

Warri Wolves’ media officer, Moses Etu who also confirmed the development condemned the ‘win at home at all costs syndrome’ in the league and he has called on the League Management Company(LMC) to come out with a verdict that will show that the league body has the interests of the away teams at heart.

“The game has been discontinued by the centre referee Chrisantus Okoro from Imo State after one of the Assistant Referees, Durunna CIB from Abia State was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. It was alleged that he was beaten by some fans during the halftime.

“We at Warri Wolves condemn this act in all entirety and we hope that the LMC will deal decisively with it and not sweep it under the carpet. We shall not lodge any complaint like we did against Akwa United. But we know that the whole world is watching and looking at the action that will be taken by the LMC,” Etu explained to SportingLife.