The Lagos chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has cautioned football officials against intimidating its members, warning that it was capable of reacting to ensure their safety.

Debo Oshundun, the chapter chairman, while reacting to the harassment of one of their members, said “Lagos SWAN will not hesitate to act if push comes to shove”.

Oshundun, in a statement Thursday by Bunmi Ogunyale, the Lagos SWAN Secretary, urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the league bodies to ensure the security of sports journalists.

Lagos SWAN member, Adebayo Suleiman, was allegedly attacked after a league match.

He was allegedly attacked after a Nigeria National League (NNL) game between Osun United and Ikorodu City FC at Ile-Ife in Osun.

“I have seen a clip of the video of the unfortunate incident, and it is important that both the NFF and the league bodies ensure the security of our members in the course of their duties.

“It is said that the Secretary of the Osun Football Association, Abayomi Amoo, can stoop so low to the level of harassing a passionate journalist and instigating the fans to unleash violence on him,” Oshundun said.

He added that it was appalling that the FA Secretary threw caution to the wind to embrace hooliganism.

“It shows how deep-rooted this disturbing case of violence in our football system goes”.

Oshundun said SWAN as a body would continue to dialogue with necessary stakeholders to ensure the right actions are taken to help in the growth of the country’s football.

“An injury to one is an injury to all. As an association, we will not fold our hands and watch our members being ridiculed in the course of their work.

“We will continue to engage in dialogue with the leadership of the NFF, League Management Company (LMC), NNL, Nationwide League One (NLO), and the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).

“We will not hesitate to withdraw our members from covering the beats in the football sector if their safety is not guaranteed.”

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Oshundun said it would be unthinkable for individual journalists to be under threat when they and their media houses were promoting the league competitions.

He then said it was Lagos SWAN’s expectation that the leadership of the NFF, NNL, and the Osun Football Association would look into the case and take the right actions.

”They need to make Amoo an example for all as we continue to say ‘no’ to violence in our football”.