In a decisive disciplinary move, the Ibadan Football Council (IFC) has handed a season-long ban to Coach Kolawole Emmanuel (Karim Adeyemi FC Head Coach), popularly known as ‘Coach Drey’, following a serious assault on a match referee during an IFC League fixture.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, July 3, at the historic Olubadan Stadium, unfolded during a heated clash between Karim Adeyemi FC and Young Stars FC. Emotions boiled over, and Coach Drey was found guilty of both physically and verbally assaulting Referee Dina Petral of the Lagelu Referees’ Society.
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In an official statement released by IFC Secretary-General Folorunsho Oyelakin, the Council condemned the coach’s actions as “an unacceptable act that brought the game into disrepute”.
“The coach’s conduct was disgraceful and goes against the core values of sportsmanship and respect,” Oyelakin stated. “He is hereby banned from any official or spectator role at Olubadan Stadium for the remainder of the current season.”
The implications of this disciplinary decision are significant. Coach Drey will be absent from the dugout for all of Karim Adeyemi FC’s remaining eight fixtures in the 2025 IFC League campaign. He is also prohibited from entering the stadium grounds, either in official or personal capacity, until the end of the season.
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Broader Implications: IFC Draws a Line
The IFC made it clear that any breach of this ruling could lead to wider sanctions, potentially escalating to both state and national football levels, in coordination with the Oyo State Football Association (OYSFA) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“The IFC will not tolerate any act of lawlessness or violence against match officials. All stakeholders must uphold the integrity of the game,” the statement emphasized.
The Council’s firm stance reflects growing concerns over the treatment of referees across Nigeria’s grassroots leagues. It sends a strong message: respect for match officials is non-negotiable, and any breach of that standard will be met with firm consequences.
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As for Karim Adeyemi FC, the suspension leaves the team without their head coach at a crucial point in their campaign—a disruption that could affect both tactical leadership and morale as they chase a strong finish to the season.
Picture Credit: Ibadan Football Council Facebook Page
