Heartland celebrating

The management of Heartland has said they will raise questions over the disciplinary measures taken against them by the NPL board.

The NPL on Thursday banished the Owerri-based side to Calabar from their hitherto adopted home at Nnewi.

Additionally, they are to pay N1.6 million fine for alleged assault on match referees after the Week 13 game against Enyimba in Enugu.

The boss of Heartland, Fan Ndubuoke told SuperSport.com that they are yet to receive a copy of the NPL decisions and when they do, they will raise fundamental questions on every decision taken by the league board.

"We heard just like any other persons that we've been banished to Calabar for our home matches as well as fined N1.6 million on assault on match referees.

"We'll challenge the decisions, we'll raise vital questions once we take hold of the paper.

"We'll ask whether we're supposed to take charge of security at the match venue in Enugu.

"We'll ask why the disparity in the sanctions meted out to teams that supposedly committed the same offences.

"We'll want to know why it is impossible for the NPL to publicise the matches that will be televised," Ndubuoke said.

The NPL order showed that Heartland will host 3SC in Calabar for Matchday 15 but Ndubuoke will not give outright confirmation.

"We won't act until we receive the decision report, we are waiting.

"The game is on Sunday, we've been playing our home matches at Nnewi, so if we're asked or banished to some other venue, we must be clear on it."

Ndubuoke was shocked that NPL was silent on the violence that followed Heartland's game at Gombe United.

"It appears NPL is selective in the match report they look into. Of course, there must be a match report on the Gombe United and Heartland match but that no mention was made of it opens new questions," he said.