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Akpan, Salami relieved after reprieve

Akpan, Salami relieved after reprieve

Posted: 2011-03-16 21:11

Bassey Akpan has expressed his relief after seeing his one-year ban from football from football lifted by the Appeals Committee of the NFF.

Heartland goalkeeper Akpan and 3SC forward Gbolahan Salami were both hit with the severe punishments following violent incidents involving match officials, but the sentences were overturned on appeal following a huge media outcry.

At its meeting on Tuesday, the committee reviewed the sentences down to the periods already served, but warned both players as to their future conduct.

Akpan was also handed a six-month suspended sentence, which will be triggered in the event of any further infraction

"We are so relieved to have this ban lifted," Akpan told KickOffNigeria.com. "Both of us were here and they warned us to be on good behaviour.

"I think I have learned a lesson from this, and nothing like that will happen again."

With the League currently on a two-week recess, both players will not be involved in any action until the resumption of the second round.

But Akpan says he is looking forward to a Super Eagles recall

"Now I am available, I hope the coach will consider me again," said the goalkeeper, who was cut from the Super Eagles team after the ban.

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Kolawole1: 2011-03-17 00:30

How I wish Gbolahan Salami is handed a more severe punishment.

From a 3SC fan....

Kerewa: 2011-03-17 00:46

Nigerian Premier league is filled with some bunches of indisciplined and uncultured players. Imagine where a ref will give a call and a player will be pointing at him. sometimes after a call the opposing team will abandon the field in protest. Thats pure madness, sometimes they go as far kicking the ball away. I do wonder the kind of management we do have in the teams.
Whenever a Nigerian clubside performs well in international competition,you will find out that the team is disciplined. The north African teams have been using it against us since i can remember.
Its time for the NFF, the coaches and the management of NPL teams to sit up to their responsibilities.

I rest my case

YerimanPHC: 2011-03-17 12:38

Akpan should know that as someone connected with the SE, he needed to have raised the bar in everything about his life as regards the game of football.
an SE keeper should be of high standard. I hope his call-up eventually comes otherwise, he becomes a good en-sample of reward of bad behavior.