In a shocking move, the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) has handed down a severe punishment to Smart City Football Club, Lagos, following a review of the match report from the Centre Referee and Match Commissioner. The club has been banned from participating in LSFA-sanctioned football activities for the next two years and fined a whopping N6 million.

The incidents that led to this decision occurred at the end of the match between Smart City FC and Inter Lagos, played at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere, on February 13, 2025. According to the report, a player from Smart City FC, Bankole Afeez, harassed and abused the Centre Referee, blocking him from leaving the field. One of the fans then punched the Centre Referee, causing a bloody cut that impaired his vision.

The Centre Referee was rushed to the hospital for treatment, and the fans attempted to attack the Vice Chairman of the LSFA and the General Secretary of the Lagos State Referees Council. The fans also threatened the lives and property of members of the LSFA and Lagos State Referees Council.

As a result, Smart City FC has been directed to produce the fan who punched the Centre Referee for assault charges and to produce Bankole Afeez for interface with the Disciplinary Committee. The club has also been fined N1 million for the treatment of the Centre Referee and N5 million for failing to control the behavior of their fans.

The LSFA has instructed Smart City FC to report the threats to lives and property to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State. The club has the right to appeal the decision to the Disciplinary Committee.