Bendel Insurance FC have formally petitioned the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) over the circumstances surrounding their 1-0 defeat to Enugu Rangers in their Matchday 9 encounter at the Awka City Stadium on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

In a club statement dated November 5, Bendel Insurance challenged the validity of Rangers’ winning goal, which was scored shortly after the restart in the second half.

The Benin-based club claimed that the goalpost’s crossbar became displaced during a Rangers attacking move, but the referee failed to stop play. Rangers subsequently scored, with the goal allowed to stand.

The goal, reportedly scored around the 47th minute, proved decisive as Rangers secured all three points.

Bendel Insurance argued that the referee failed to apply IFAB Law 1.10, which requires play to be stopped when a crossbar becomes displaced or broken until it is repaired or replaced.

According to the club, the goal should not have been allowed because it was scored while the goalframe was not in its proper position.

The club further maintained that the incident amounted to a misapplication of the Laws of the Game rather than a mere refereeing judgment or factual decision, insisting that the irregularity directly influenced the outcome of the match.

Bendel Insurance also challenged the possible application of the finality provision under Law 5.2, arguing that a mandatory provision of the Laws of the Game was not correctly enforced.

The club stressed that its protest was not an accusation of deliberate wrongdoing against the match officials but a formal challenge to the application of the rules, with particular emphasis on player safety, competitive fairness and the integrity of the NPFL.

Bendel Insurance maintained that play should have been stopped immediately when the goalframe became displaced.