Benin Youth League fines Dynamo Academica over award ceremony controversy

The Benin City Youth League has fined reigning champions Dynamo Academica Football Academy ₦100,000 for what it described as conduct that undermined the competition’s integrity and prestige during the league’s official closing ceremony.

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The sanction followed the club’s decision to organise and present its own awards to players immediately after emerging as the champions of the 2026 edition of the competition.

In a statement signed by the league secretary, Kennedy Ugbodaga, the organisers congratulated Dynamo Academica on winning the title but condemned the club’s actions during the official presentation ceremony.

According to the league, the club held an independent awards presentation on the same podium, within the official tournament environment, shortly after the organisers had concluded their awards.

The league described the action as inappropriate, unprofessional and disrespectful to the competition, participating clubs, match officials, sponsors, guests and other stakeholders.

“It was observed that immediately after the conclusion of the league’s official presentation ceremony, Dynamo Academica proceeded to organise and present its own club awards to its players on the same podium and within the official tournament environment,” the statement said.

The organisers argued that football competitions operate under established protocols that reserve official award presentations exclusively for competition organisers.

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“Across organised football, official award ceremonies remain the exclusive responsibility of the competition organiser. Clubs do not stage parallel award presentations during an organiser’s official ceremony,” the statement added.

The Benin City Youth League said it viewed the club’s conduct as an attempt to overshadow the competition’s official awards and warned that allowing such practices to continue could undermine discipline and order in future editions of the tournament.

The league said consultations with football administrators and competition organisers informed its decision to sanction the club.

“Accordingly, the Benin City Youth League hereby imposes a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (₦100,000) on Dynamo Academica Football Academy for conduct considered prejudicial to the image and integrity of the competition,” the statement said.

Beyond the financial sanction, the league directed Dynamo Academica to submit a formal written apology to the league management and relevant stakeholders within 48 hours.

It warned that failure to comply could result in further disciplinary measures.

The organisers also issued a directive prohibiting clubs from conducting independent award presentations, distributing medals, trophies, certificates, cash gifts or other forms of player recognition during official league ceremonies without prior written approval.

The statement warned that future violations could attract stiffer sanctions, including higher fines, suspension from league activities, forfeiture of privileges or other disciplinary measures.

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“Football is built on respect. Respect for the competition, respect for fellow participants, and respect for the institutions that organise the game. Every club is expected to uphold these values without exception,” the league said.

The Benin City Youth League said it remains committed to maintaining professionalism, discipline and integrity, and would continue to take firm action against conduct that undermines those values.

Dynamo Academica had not publicly responded to the sanctions at the time of filing this report.

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