The Oyo State Football Association (Oyo FA) has imposed a ban on Prince 89.7FM Yoruba sports broadcaster Shola Ayegbajeje, known as AyegbaSports, prohibiting him from all football-related activities and access to stadia across Oyo State.
The suspension, effective from May 5, 2025, through the end of the 2025/2026 football season, follows Ayegbajeje’s false claims of match-fixing by Shooting Stars management and players during a live radio broadcast on May 2, 2025.
Ayegbajeje, 56, alleged during his program that Shooting Stars manipulated matches against Katsina United, Lobi Stars, and Remo Stars in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
At a disciplinary hearing held on May 5 at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, he admitted the accusations were fabricated, attributing his remarks to emotional distress over the team’s recent performance.
The Oyo FA Disciplinary Committee deemed Ayegbajeje’s broadcast “reckless and frivolous,” finding him guilty of spreading false allegations. He has been ordered to issue a written apology to Shooting Stars’ management, led by Honourable Babatunde Olaniyan David ‘Akoro,’ and to provide a written undertaking to the Oyo FA pledging not to engage in actions that tarnish the reputation of football.
Prior to the hearing, Ayegbajeje had publicly retracted his statements, issuing apologies to Shooting Stars, the NPFL, the Nigeria Football Referees Association, and other football stakeholders via Prince 89.7FM shortly after the initial broadcast.
The Oyo FA, in a statement signed by Mr. Kehinde Adebayo Ojelowo, emphasized its commitment to protecting the integrity of the sport.