NPL explain Crown venue decision

NPL's Acting Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola has explained the decision to move the venue for Crown FC's league fixture against Plateau United to Ibadan. Plateau United officials, and other league teams have criticised the decision to approve a last minute change of venue, pointing to a conspiracy to help 3SC stay up ahead of Plateau United, but Babalola says that was not the case. "Crown play in Ilorin where Kwara United also play their home games, and because Kwara are also playing on the same day, they had the right to use the stadium."Crown's home stadium in Ogbomosho was not approved for league matches because of the poor conditions, and Offa was ruled out for the same reason."That left us with Ibadan and Lagos, and since Crown wrote to us saying they preferred Ibadan, the league decided to approve the change because all games must be played on the same day on the last two days of the season." The explanation is unlikely to satisfy officials of Plateau United or Ocean Boys, who are in desperate bid to avoid relegation and know that a Crown win in Ibadan, and a 3SC win at JUTH, could see the Oluyole Warlords survive the drop.That would leave Ocean Boys and Plateau United battling to avoid the last relegation place.The decision also has repercussions for league leaders Sunshine Stars, who travel to Ocean Boys this weekend. If they lose, and Dolphins beat relegated Zamfara United, the points total at the summit of the league will be equal on 70, although Sunshine will probably stay top on goal difference. That would take the battle for the title to the final day when Sunshine travel to Kano Pillars, and Dolphins travel to Bukola Babes.
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