Nasarawa United Football Club has dismissed widely circulated reports alleging that Plateau United player, Vincent Temitope, was stabbed by a supporter following their Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, clash over the weekend in Lafia.
In an official statement issued Tuesday by the club's Director of Media, Eche Amos, the Lafia-based club clarified that the incident, while unfortunate, was exaggerated.
According to the statement, Temitope suffered only a slight bruise on the neck and was not stabbed with a knife or any dangerous weapon as claimed in the media.
Mr Amos explained that eyewitness accounts confirmed that the individual involved in the altercation, one Bashir Bala, used his sharp fingernails during a scuffle after the player allegedly attempted to hit a spectator with a plastic chair.
The club insisted that the arrested individual is not a known supporter of Nasarawa United.
“Vincent Temitope had earlier missed a penalty following a dispute with his teammates over who should take the kick.
“He was also involved in a separate altercation where he headbutted Nasarawa United’s goalkeeper, Detan Ogundare, during a peacekeeping attempt, for which he received a yellow card,” the statement read.
The club added that despite the heated moments, many Plateau United players were seen taking photos with home fans, indicating that the situation had not escalated beyond control. It was also noted that Plateau United officials tried to calm Temitope, but he resisted.
Following the incident, the Nasarawa State Football Association ensured that the suspect was immediately arrested by police officers at the stadium, while Temitope was taken to a nearby medical facility where his injuries were treated before rejoining his team.
Nasarawa United called on the public to ignore what it described as “false reports” and urged media outlets and social media users to verify information through official sources before sharing. The club reiterated its commitment to safety and sportsmanship.
“We prioritise the safety and well-being of players, staff, and fans. We will continue to work with the authorities to investigate the matter and ensure necessary actions are taken,”; the statement concluded.
Despite the clarification, the Nigeria Premier Football League has handed down sanctions to Nasarawa United, including a N6 million fine and a banishment to Gombe State for all remaining home matches of the season.
