Ibom Angels, one of the clubs involved in a controversial post-match incident during the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Matchday Five fixture against Bayelsa Queens has released the outcome of its internal investigation, along with sanctions and an apology.

 

The incident occurred after the 2025/2026 NWFL encounter between the club and Bayelsa Queens in Uyo on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, and was marked by post-match pitch encroachment and skirmishes involving fans and players.

 

In a statement made public on Tuesday, the club disclosed that a fact-finding committee set up to probe the incident had concluded its work and submitted a report.

 

According to the findings, the club identified a supporter, Mr Kingsley Loveday, who allegedly exhibited excessive aggression after the final whistle, an action the club said may have emboldened others and contributed to the melee. The club noted that although it could not account for all those involved, Loveday played a significant role in escalating the situation.

 

The committee also found that some players of the club disobeyed direct instructions from management officials to remain calm and instead became involved in the unsportsmanlike conduct.

 

Clarifying circulating videos from the incident, the club stated that there was no pitch encroachment during active play, stressing that all the recorded scenes occurred after the referee had blown the final whistle to end the match.

 

On the trigger of the unrest, the report alleged that Bayelsa Queens goalkeeper, Linda Chikamso, punched Ibom Angels defender, Angela Okechi, below the eye after a goal initially awarded by the referee was later disallowed. According to the club, the defender was attempting to retrieve the ball to restart play when the alleged assault occurred, resulting in excessive bleeding and subsequent contusion and bruising.

 

The statement further claimed that the referee’s failure to sanction the goalkeeper after the incident may have aggravated tensions among spectators. It also criticised the officiating, describing the referee’s decision to first award the goal after consulting his assistant, and then overturn it without further consultation, as “strange” and inconsistent with league standards, especially in a competition without the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

 

As part of disciplinary measures, the club announced a one-year ban on Mr Kingsley Loveday from all its matches and activities, effective January 21, 2026, adding that it would work with security agencies to ensure his arrest and prosecution.

 

Additionally, two unnamed players found to be chiefly culpable were suspended for two months and barred from all club activities during the period of the disciplinary action. The club said their identities were withheld for security reasons and to prevent backlash.

 

In an apology, the club described the incident as embarrassing and a misrepresentation of its values of peace, unity and sportsmanship. It extended apologies to Bayelsa Queens, their players and officials, the people of Bayelsa State, and the NWFL for the negative image created by the incident.

 

The club also pledged to collaborate with the state Football Association to strengthen matchday security in order to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents in the future.