With promotion to the lowest tier of the Nigerian Nationwide League Division on the line, two soccer clubs — Plateau United Feeders and Police Machine FC — needed to win their respective games by the largest possible goal difference. By halftime, each game was close: Plateau United led its game 7-0 against Akurba FC, while Police Machine led 6-0 over Bubayaro FC, according to the BBC. With officials keeping an eye on the scores around the league, the second half devolved into a farce. Police Machine scored 61 times in the second half to win 67-0, but Plateau United scored 72 goals in the 45-minute second half to earn promotion.

No video of the game is available, but the quantity of goals is almost incomprehensible. Excluding any stoppage time, Plateau United scored a goal every 37 seconds in the second half. One journalist on the scene reported that referees did not walk the ball from the goal back to the center circle, as is customary, but instead rely on ball boys to quickly throw a different ball on the field and get the game restarted quickly.

The astronomic scorelines prompted an immediate investigation by the Nigerian Football Federation, and a severe punishment was levied Monday. All players and coaches from each of the four clubs have been banned from the game for life, and each club faces a 10-year ban from playing in a domestic league. The NFF also recommended banning each of the match referees involved.

The punishment is irrelevant for one of the losing clubs, Bubayaro FC, which was disbanded by its owner immediately after the game. Shuaibu-Gara Ahmed Gombe, upon learning of the scoreline, disowned his team.

Via the BBC: