A FAN identified as Bashir Bala has been sentenced to three months in prison with an option of a fine for assaulting a Plateau United player, Temitope Vincent, during a Nigeria Premier Football League game in Lafia last Sunday.
Bala was sentenced by a Chief Magistrate Court in Lafia on Thursday after he was arrested by the police at the stadium.
The tension-filled clash between Nasarawa United and Plateau United ended 3-2 in favour of the home side, but the final whistle was followed by a troubling incident that left the Plateau United player at the mercy of the fan.
Bala was initially accused of stabbing the player but Nasarawa United vehemently denied the claims and the association of the said fan with their club.
“Contrary to the sensationalised reports, a physical altercation did occur between a spectator, who is not a supporter of our club, and Plateau United’s Vincent Temitope,” the club said.
“Eyewitnesses confirmed that the spectator used his sharp fingers, not a knife, or any other dangerous weapon as purportedly reported, to slightly bruise the player’s neck.”
The Lafia club was however banished to Gombe as a result of the incident as well as a N6m fine.
Nasarawa United are 14th in the NPFL with just a point above the relegation zone.
They will be up against Bendel Insurance in their next game in Benin City on Sunday.
