Osun State Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Biyi Odunlade, has launched an attack on   his Ondo State counterpart, Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye,  saying the latter  is not fit to hold  public office.

Odunlade, who was reacting  to Yusuf-Ogunleye’s   allegations that Osun United  mobilised hoodlums to Ijebu Ode in Ogun State  to attack  Sunshine Stars players and their supporters  after their  second leg Aiteo Cup quarterfinal clash at the Dipo Dina Stadium on Saturday, said the Ondo commissioner lied.

Ondo State-owned Sunshine won the game 3-1 to reach the semifinals 3-2 on aggregate.

But Osun United supporters, whose team won the first leg  1-0, reportedly  invaded the pitch to attack Sunshine players and officials after the referee, Ferdinand Udoh, allegedly denied the Osogbo side a chance to score a  second goal   that would have given them the ticket to the next round.

Over 20 persons were reportedly  injured while no fewer than  10 vehicles   were vandalised after the fight spread to other parts of the stadium.

Odunlade  claimed that  Sunshine and Gateway United   supporters teamed up to attack  Osun State-owned Osun United,

The Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s aide, who accused Sunshine coach, Duke Udi, of  harassing    Osun United players and supporters, also alleged that the referee made many questionable calls during the match.

He said, “If Ogunleye could publicly lie, the way he did against the viciously attacked innocent supporters of Osun United,  then, we dare say that he lacks the integrity and credibility to be part of any upright administration.

“It was discovered that the supporters of Gateway  and Remo Stars  (both based in Ogun State)  joined forces with those of Sunshine  to attack Osun United.

“For the benefit of hindsight, Osun United had earlier defeated Gateway 2-0   in the  league  September  9, thereby cutting short their aspiration to get promoted to the Nigeria Professional Football League. This blow was fatal to Gateway, hence they decided  to join forces with Sunshine.”

“During the attack, the second goalkeeper of Osun United and the captain of the team, Akeem Olalere, were seriously injured by their attackers. Five of the buses that conveyed Osun United  and their supporters to the stadium were vandalised by the supporters of Sunshine  in league with those of Gateway United  and Remo Stars.”

Odunlade added, “It is unfortunate that Ogunleye  is a cabinet member of the administration of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.”

But Yusuf-Ogunleye  said  he would  not  take  issue with Odunlade, saying “we are cultured and decent people in Ondo State”.

He said, “During our press conference, we told the whole world what happened. For calling me a liar   shows the type of person he is.

“By the way of our training here, we are cultured and decent people in Ondo State and we have respect  for  constituted authorities. I will not reply him, and I am not ready to take  issue with him.”

He added,   “The issue goes beyond attacking me or abusing me, it is not a personal matter, the NFF has  been informed, the police and  soldiers have their records and the Ijebu monarch  who  came to the (police) station for the release of the  arrested aggressors is still alive.”

– Copyright PUNCH