Kun Khalifat FC Boycott Deepens as Imo SWAN Details Pattern of Journalists’ Harassment

The lingering face-off between the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo State Chapter, and Kun Khalifat FC has deepened, with the Association reaffirming its boycott of the club and detailing what it described as a pattern of harassment, intimidation and denial of access involving several sports journalists.

The renewed position followed an emergency congress of Imo SWAN held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, days after the Association first announced a boycott of all publicity and media activities involving the Nigeria Premier Football League club.

Imo SWAN said the latest resolution became necessary following reactions to its earlier statement and reports suggesting that the dispute arose solely from the denial of access to its Chairman, Cosmos Chukwuemeka, during Kun Khalifat FC’s September 6 fixture against Barau FC.

The Association rejected that account, insisting that the September 6 incident was only one of several cases involving its members.

“For the avoidance of doubt, that narrative is false and misleading,” Imo SWAN said in a statement signed by its Secretary, Anthony Ahize.

According to the Association, several members had at different times experienced denial of access, intimidation, confrontation and what it described as embarrassing treatment from personnel attached to Kun Khalifat FC.

It said the recurrence of such incidents had transformed what might initially have been regarded as isolated misunderstandings into what the Association described as a disturbing pattern.

Imo SWAN recalled that on May 24, 2026, during Kun Khalifat FC’s fixture against Wikki Tourists at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Kelvin Anyanwu was allegedly denied access despite presenting his SWAN identification card.

The Association said Anyanwu remained outside the stadium during a heavy downpour despite reportedly raising the matter with the club owner.

It also cited the case of Uchechukwu Olebara, who it said encountered security personnel during the same fixture and was denied entry despite identifying himself as a journalist.

According to the statement, the encounter became confrontational before the intervention of the Imo SWAN Chairman helped to calm the situation.

The Association further recalled that Precious Iheanacho experienced a similar difficulty during Kun Khalifat FC’s February 8, 2026 fixture against Shooting Stars FC and was eventually admitted following the intervention of the club owner and its media officer.

Another member, Amarachi Adimuko, was also listed among journalists who allegedly encountered difficulties gaining access to a Kun Khalifat FC match despite identifying herself as a SWAN member.

Imo SWAN said the situation again came to the fore during the September 6 encounter with Barau FC when Anthony Ahize was initially denied entry before an Imo State Football Association official intervened.

Kingsley Anosike, popularly known as Kpac, was also said to have been initially denied access before the intervention of the same FA official.

The Association further named Kachi Oguguo and Emmanuel Mbah among members who had allegedly experienced embarrassing treatment while attempting to cover Kun Khalifat FC matches.

Imo SWAN maintained that journalists assigned to cover football matches should not be subjected to unnecessary intimidation or arbitrary denial of access while carrying out their professional duties.

“Sports journalists are not intruders at football matches. They are professionals performing a legitimate responsibility on behalf of the public and their respective media organisations,” the Association stated.

While acknowledging the right of football clubs to maintain security and order at match venues, Imo SWAN said such security arrangements should not be used in a manner that humiliates or intimidates accredited journalists.

The Association said it remained open to dialogue but insisted that its boycott would continue until credible assurances were given over the safety, dignity and professional access of journalists covering Kun Khalifat FC matches.

“Our demand is simple: We demand safety. We demand respect. We demand professional access for accredited sports journalists,” the statement said.

Imo SWAN added that it would not compromise the safety, dignity or professional integrity of its members in the course of carrying out their duties.