Nigerians baffled by FIFA’s $30,000 for pitch invasion against Cameroon

Nigerians appear to be completely baffled by FIFA’s $30,000 fine over pitch invasion, Extrasportsnigeria.com reports. FIFA also punished some other African countries for offences during 2018 World Cup qualifiers last month, the world football body said Tuesday.

Nigeria Football Federation security expert retired ACP Gideon Akinsola decried the lapses in Uyo last month has now advocated tough measures to stem fans from invading the pitch during the match or immediately after the match as it happened last month.

Nigeria’s next opponents, Zambia received a $7,000 fine after the crowd hurled various unspecified objects on the pitch during a 3-1 victory over Algeria in Lusaka.

Neighbouring Gabon forfeited by a mandatory 3-0 scoreline a match against Ivory Coast in Libreville for fielding suspended midfielder Merlin Tandjigora.

However, the Gabonese lost the match 3-0 so the punishment effectively amounted to a $6,200 (5,300 euros) fine.

The Democratic Republic of Congo got $20,000 fine after the crowd hurled bottles and let off incendiary devices during a 2-2 draw with Tunisia in Kinshasa. Mali were fined $15,000 because fans flung bottles and chairs on the pitch in a 0-0 stalemate with Morocco in Bamako. The earlier qualifier between the same countries in Rabat led to a $3,000 fine for Morocco over whistling while the Malian national anthem was being played.

Senegal and Burkina Faso were warned for late kick-offs in the qualifiers between them in Dakar and Ouagadougou.