The Nationwide League One (NLO) secretariat has officially granted pardon to Mallick Olasunkanmi, Sporting Director of La Planet FC following an appeal submitted by the club.

In a letter dated May 5, 2025, addressed to the Kwara State Football Association and the club chairman, the NLO confirmed that the suspension previously handed to the club official has now been officially lifted.

The letter reads “The NLO received an appeal on the suspended officials of La Planet FC Ilorin.

“Sequel to the above, the NLO secretariat hereby pardoned Mr. Abdulmalik Olasunkanmi of La Planet FC and the suspension is hereby lifted. He’s hereby warned to control his emotions during the game” it reads.

Recall that the NLO earlier in a letter dated May 4, 2025, suspended Olasunkanmi, for allegedly harassing both match and league officials in the NLO matchday five game against Dohz FA on Sunday.

The league body in the suspension letter also placed a three-match ban on the team manager of La Planet FC, Moshood Olalekan, who was handed a red card in the same fixture.

La Planet FC were also required to pay a fine of N100,000 to the NLO account before their next league match or face potential forfeiture.

However, in an appeal letter sent to the NLO by La Planet FC, the club noted that all the allegations levelled against the club official were unfounded and requested a review and reversal of the imposed sanctions.

The letter stated “We categorically deny that any official of La Planet FC harassed match officials or NLO officials before, during, or after the match in question.

It said “Specifically, Mr. Mallick Olasunkanmi Mukaila, our Sporting Director, approached the NLO Kwara Center Coordinator Akorede Monsuru to lodge a legitimate complaint regarding the officiating official’s conduct. This followed a clear penalty denial to our team in the 36th minute, which significantly impacted the match”

The interaction between the Sporting Director and the NLO cordinator, according to the club was never confrontational or harassing but a lawful expression of concern over the officiating.

“We request a thorough review of the video evidence submitted against our Sporting Director or confirm that no harassment occurred” the club said in the statement.

The club admitted that Mashood Olalekan, the Team Manager, was issued a marching order during the match and promptly left the technical area as directed.

It however, maintained that the team manager was not involved in any subsequent fracas or altercation, arguing that the extension of his ban is unjustifiable and it’s based on inaccurate assumptions of his involvement.

The club also noted that following the abrupt termination of the match, its Sporting Director, Mallick Olasunkanmi was attacked by supporters of the opposing team, resulting in injuries. Despite this provocation, Mr. Mallick and other La Planet PC officials and players maintained composure and did not retaliate.

The club, however, in its appeal, requested, amongst other things, an overturn of the suspension imposed on Mallick Olasunkanmi, as it is based on false and malicious accusations, lifting of the extended ban on Mr. Mashood Olalekan, as he was not involved in any misconduct, and consider the provocations and assaults faced by club officials in its final determination.

The NLO secretariat, in its response to the appeal where it lifted the sanction on the club’s Sporting Director also clarified that the red card sanction issued to the team Manager, Moshood Olalekan, shall be limited strictly to game regulations, with no additional disciplinary extension.

Reacting to the lift of the sanctions, Sporting Director of La Planet FC,  Mallick Olasunkanmi commended the NLO secretariat for its steadfastness and fairness.

“I want to sincerely commend the NLO for its impartiality and equity. This development has not only absolved La Planet FC from any wrongdoing but has also shown that its officials are law abiding, ” he said.

Meanwhile, La Planet FC will face Na Royal FC in another crucial game on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Kwara Football Academy pitch by 2pm.