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– There are mixed reactions to the merger of Dolphins and Sharks football clubs
– Sharks supporter says the state government cheated them
– This could be the end to one of Nigeria’s oldest football club
The idea to merge the two Rivers state based teams Dolphins football club and Sharks to become Rivers United has sparked outrage in some quarters as some supporters of Sharks are aggrieved on the decision, saying they are disappointed in the Local Organising Company (LMC), as well as the Rivers state government.
In an exclusive chat with Naij.com Sports, Andrew Obuoforibo who claimed to have been a staunch follower of Sharks football club lamented that the process with which the merger took place was not transparent.
“The state government has said that it cannot afford to maintain two men’s football teams, we understand that; but the process of selecting which team should be saved has not been transparent,” he said.
“We are disappointed, and personally as a Sharks fan I am disappointed in the way this merger has taken place.
“In fact, I want to go further to say that the idea that this was a merger is a lie. Dolphins and Sharks were not merged. Dolphins have gotten a name-change, while Sharks have been thrown by the way side.”
Andrew also alleged that with the new name ‘Rivers United’, the major positions and roles at the new club are dominated by members of the former Dolphins football club.
Andrew Obuoforibo
“It is so evident in the selection of the club executives, supporters club, players and personnel. In everything, the Dolphins personnel have been carried over to Rivers United, while those of Sharks have been jettisoned.
“The coach and the managing director of Rivers United have been brought from Dolphins. All the senior executive positions as well as the stadium being used are that of Dolphins,” he lamented.
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The obviously angry Sharks supporter alleged that it was the preferential treatment and discrimination to both clubs by the state government resulted into the position of Sharks football club today.
“The idea that this has happened because Sharks relegated is a convenient excuse, he said. This had been a long time coming. I am so convinced that if it was Dolphins that got relegated while Sharks are in the premier league, Dolphins would still be saved because the decision makers in government have vested interests in Dolphins.
“It did not start with this administration. Dolphins have received preferential treatment over Sharks and this has been recurrent.
“In fact, the position in the league is due to the preferential treatment Dolphins have gotten over Sharks over the years. It hurts because Sharks is the true original team of the state and I have been following the team since 1986,” he claimed.
Christian Pyagbara of the CHAN Eagles was a former Sharks player
He however disclosed that the aggrieved owners and supporters are doing everything possible to restore the club, adding that they will not support Rivers United.
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“Now, we have some options before us. This first is for us to raise our money to buy the Sharks’ slot and revive the team in a private capacity outside of government to save our team. The second option is for us to find other teams to support but not Rivers United.
“The third is for government to realize the travesty it has committed and discuss with us for a way forward,” he concluded.
It would be recalled that LMC granted the Port Harcourt based teams approval to merge into one, to become Rivers United FC after the commissioner for sports on behalf of the Rivers state government had sought the permission of the LMC to have a new name as well as their logo, which has now been granted by the football body.
It would be recalled that one of the oldest football club in Nigeria, Sharks football club, was established in 1972
The post Sharks supporter blasts LMC, Rivers state government over merger appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.
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