Respite is underway for goalkeeper, Adewale Adeyinka, as the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) have accepted to give the embattled keeper an opportunity to defend himself of the charges of a betting infraction, that resulted in his provisional suspension by the league body.
Goalkeeper Adewale had in a plea for a fair hearing to clear himself of the betting allegations, leveled against him, noted that linking him with betting was strange, and requested that officials of his former club Plateau United FC, and those of the club he intended to join, 3SC of Ibadan be present at the hearing.
Speaking exclusively to veteran Sports Journalist and Head of Sports Radio Nigeria, Chinedum Ohanusi, a staff of the NPFL said it is within the rights of the player to be given a fair hearing, but the date for the panel to sit cannot be fixed by the player in the eye of the storm.
Adewale said “I am indeed happy that the NPFL Committee said they will grant me the opportunity to prove my innocence.
I’m not into gambling or betting, so I am very upset with this rumours and false assumptions. With just a week before the season kicks off, I think they can make it faster, and also invite officials of Plateau United and Shooting Stars to be present”.
With exactly one week before the transfer window closes, the 27-year-old Adewale who stands at 1:88 metres tall noted that football has always been part of his life; and from representing top clubs across Nigeria to wearing the country’s colors, he has given everything to this beautiful game, which has brought him fame and some fortune.
He added that it would be both uncharitable and stupid for him to indulge in any act capable of bringing the League, or football as a whole into disrepute.
Adewale’s travail started when he was about to sign for 3SC aka Oluyole Warriors, but he objected to a clause that he can only be held liable, if allegations of betting are proven by 3SC; an objection he said may have not gone down well with the Oluyole Warriors, who appeared to have relied on unfounded rumours from Plateau United in concluding that he, Adewale was into match-fixing.
The club subsequently notified the matter to the NPFL, who in turn slammed the keeper with a suspension.
