NPFL cracks down on Kano Pillars with points, fines, and stadium ban
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed sweeping sanctions on Kano Pillars Football Club following a pitch invasion that marred their Matchday 8 fixture against Shooting Stars.
In a decisive move communicated to the club and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the NPFL announced a deduction of three points and three goals from the club’s accumulated tally, alongside a total fine of ₦9.5 million and a stadium ban.
The Sani Abacha Stadium, home to Kano Pillars, has been shut against the club and its supporters for the remainder of the season. Consequently, the team will now host its home fixtures at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
The NPFL cited multiple breaches of its rules in the aftermath of the incident. The deduction of points and goals was enforced under Rule C1.1, which addresses assault on the away team and match officials.
The league also imposed a series of financial penalties on Kano Pillars for various infractions.
These include ₦1 million for failure to provide adequate security, which allowed unauthorized access to restricted areas in breach of Rule B13.52; ₦1 million for failing to ensure proper conduct of supporters, leading to harassment of Shooting Stars players and match officials in breach of Rule C9; and another ₦1 million for the throwing of objects onto the field of play and at opponents, violating Rule B13.18.
In addition, Kano Pillars was fined ₦1 million for actions deemed to have brought the league into disrepute under Rule C1.1, and ₦2 million for the assault on the away team and match officials.
The club is also required to pay ₦2 million as compensation to Shooting Stars players and ₦1.5 million as restitution for the beating of match officials.
Davidson Owumi, Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, reaffirmed the league’s commitment to maintaining discipline and safety across all fixtures.
‘We will invoke the rules wherever and whenever required to keep bad behaviour of fans, players and officials out of the league,’ Owumi stated.
In a separate communication to the NFF Match Officials Appointment Committee, the NPFL requested a review of the performance and suitability of five match officials involved in recent fixtures.
From the Kano Pillars versus Shooting Stars match, centre referee Mohammed B Tuta of the Adamawa State Referees Council and assistant referees Bem Japhet (Benue) and Shehu Isah (Adamawa) were recommended for reassessment.
Similarly, centre referee Ikechukwu Taiwo of the Rivers State Referees Council and assistant referee Usman Opeyemi Edward from Osun State, who officiated the Nasarawa United versus Rangers match, were also listed for review.
Kano Pillars reserves the right to appeal the decisions. However, the NPFL has warned that additional sanctions may be imposed should the appeal fail.
The league reiterated its zero tolerance policy for violence and misconduct, emphasizing its resolve to uphold the integrity of Nigerian football.
