The Osun State
Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Biyi Odunlade, has launched an attack on his Ondo State counterpart, Mr. Saka
Yusuf-Ogunleye, saying the latter is not fit to hold public office.
Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Biyi Odunlade, has launched an attack on his Ondo State counterpart, Mr. Saka
Yusuf-Ogunleye, saying the latter is not fit to hold public office.
Odunlade,
who was reacting to
Yusuf-Ogunleye’s allegations that Osun
United mobilised hoodlums to Ijebu Ode
in Ogun State to attack Sunshine Stars players and their
supporters after their second leg Aiteo Cup quarterfinal clash at
the Dipo Dina Stadium on Saturday, said the Ondo commissioner lied.
who was reacting to
Yusuf-Ogunleye’s allegations that Osun
United mobilised hoodlums to Ijebu Ode
in Ogun State to attack Sunshine Stars players and their
supporters after their second leg Aiteo Cup quarterfinal clash at
the Dipo Dina Stadium on Saturday, said the Ondo commissioner lied.
Ondo
State-owned Sunshine won the game 3-1 to reach the semifinals 3-2 on aggregate.
State-owned Sunshine won the game 3-1 to reach the semifinals 3-2 on aggregate.
But Osun
United supporters, whose team won the first leg
1-0, reportedly invaded the pitch
to attack Sunshine players and officials after the referee, Ferdinand Udoh,
allegedly denied the Osogbo side a chance to score a second goal
that would have given them the ticket to the next round.
United supporters, whose team won the first leg
1-0, reportedly invaded the pitch
to attack Sunshine players and officials after the referee, Ferdinand Udoh,
allegedly denied the Osogbo side a chance to score a second goal
that would have given them the ticket to the next round.
Over 20
persons were reportedly injured while no
fewer than 10 vehicles were vandalised after the fight spread to
other parts of the stadium.
persons were reportedly injured while no
fewer than 10 vehicles were vandalised after the fight spread to
other parts of the stadium.
Odunlade claimed that
Sunshine and Gateway United
supporters teamed up to attack
Osun State-owned Osun United,
Sunshine and Gateway United
supporters teamed up to attack
Osun State-owned Osun United,
The Osun
State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s aide, who accused Sunshine coach, Duke Udi,
of harassing Osun United players and supporters, also
alleged that the referee made many questionable calls during the match.
State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s aide, who accused Sunshine coach, Duke Udi,
of harassing Osun United players and supporters, also
alleged that the referee made many questionable calls during the match.
He said, “If
Ogunleye could publicly lie, the way he did against the viciously attacked
innocent supporters of Osun United,
then, we dare say that he lacks the integrity and credibility to be part
of any upright administration.
Ogunleye could publicly lie, the way he did against the viciously attacked
innocent supporters of Osun United,
then, we dare say that he lacks the integrity and credibility to be part
of any upright administration.
“It was
discovered that the supporters of Gateway
and Remo Stars (both based in
Ogun State) joined forces with those of
Sunshine to attack Osun United.
discovered that the supporters of Gateway
and Remo Stars (both based in
Ogun State) joined forces with those of
Sunshine to attack Osun United.
“For the
benefit of hindsight, Osun United had earlier defeated Gateway 2-0 in the
league September 9, thereby cutting short their aspiration to
get promoted to the Nigeria Professional Football League. This blow was fatal
to Gateway, hence they decided to join
forces with Sunshine.”
benefit of hindsight, Osun United had earlier defeated Gateway 2-0 in the
league September 9, thereby cutting short their aspiration to
get promoted to the Nigeria Professional Football League. This blow was fatal
to Gateway, hence they decided to join
forces with Sunshine.”
“During the
attack, the second goalkeeper of Osun United and the captain of the team, Akeem
Olalere, were seriously injured by their attackers. Five of the buses that
conveyed Osun United and their supporters
to the stadium were vandalised by the supporters of Sunshine in league with those of Gateway United and Remo Stars.”
attack, the second goalkeeper of Osun United and the captain of the team, Akeem
Olalere, were seriously injured by their attackers. Five of the buses that
conveyed Osun United and their supporters
to the stadium were vandalised by the supporters of Sunshine in league with those of Gateway United and Remo Stars.”
Odunlade
added, “It is unfortunate that Ogunleye
is a cabinet member of the administration of a Senior Advocate of
Nigeria.”
added, “It is unfortunate that Ogunleye
is a cabinet member of the administration of a Senior Advocate of
Nigeria.”
But
Yusuf-Ogunleye said he would
not take issue with Odunlade, saying “we are cultured
and decent people in Ondo State”.
Yusuf-Ogunleye said he would
not take issue with Odunlade, saying “we are cultured
and decent people in Ondo State”.
He said,
“During our press conference, we told the whole world what happened. For
calling me a liar shows the type of
person he is.
“During our press conference, we told the whole world what happened. For
calling me a liar shows the type of
person he is.
“By the way
of our training here, we are cultured and decent people in Ondo State and we
have respect for constituted authorities. I will not reply
him, and I am not ready to take issue
with him.”
of our training here, we are cultured and decent people in Ondo State and we
have respect for constituted authorities. I will not reply
him, and I am not ready to take issue
with him.”
He
added, “The issue goes beyond attacking
me or abusing me, it is not a personal matter, the NFF has been informed, the police and soldiers have their records and the Ijebu
monarch who came to the (police) station for the release
of the arrested aggressors is still
alive.”
added, “The issue goes beyond attacking
me or abusing me, it is not a personal matter, the NFF has been informed, the police and soldiers have their records and the Ijebu
monarch who came to the (police) station for the release
of the arrested aggressors is still
alive.”
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