The Ekiti State Football Association has suspended Are FC, Ijero Ekiti from all football activities indefinitely following the act of violence and unruly behavior of their management and fans at the finals of the BAFEM CUP on Saturday, September 11th, at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti.
The Ekiti State FA Board noted that while it is within the team’s right to show displeasure about an assumed controversial decision, it must be done within the laws of the game.
Video evidence showed that the Center Referee of the final match, Mr. Dotun Ogunojemite Jnr. was attacked by the irate fans of Are FC an action encouraged by the management immediately after the final whistle which led to the destruction and theft of his officiating items (namely: caution cards, whistle, and stopwatch)
The Board of the Ekiti FA further slapped the club and its management with a fine of four hundred thousand naira (#400,000) only.
The founder of the club, Mr. Are Ayoola Olaoluwa is also suspended indefinitely for aggravating the chaos and failing to control the supporters and has since through his post on his personal social media platforms justified the actions leading to the ugly incident.
Nominations of Are FC, Ijero Ekiti, and its officials are withdrawn from the Ekiti FA Merit Awards 2021.
