NPFL Sanctions Kano Pillars, Suspends Home Ground Indefinitely

Joshua ChuwangOctober 16, 20252 Mins read44

The Nigeria Premier Football League has sanctioned Kano Pillars for the unruly behaviour of its fans during their Matchday 8 home game against Shooting Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

The match started on a good note for the home side as Mustapha Jibrin delivered the first goal of the encounter during the 9th minute. The fans’ celebration, however, was cut short a few moments from the end of the game as Adams Mustapha dramatically equalised, ensuring that points are shared. This late goal triggered violence and chaos from the home fans as they stormed the pitch and attacked match officials.

Following this anomaly, the NPFL released a Jurisdiction Notice dated 13 October, signed by the Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, penalising the club for multiple breaches, such as inadequate security, supporter misconduct, and assault on away players and match officials.

Kano Pillars failed to provide adequate and effective security, which resulted in unauthorised persons gaining access to restricted areas/field of play. The Kano club also failed to ensure proper conduct of their supporters, which led to harassment of the away team and match officials,” the statement reads.

“The club have been fined N1m each for failing to provide adequate and effective security; failing to ensure proper conduct of their supporters and misconduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute, totalling N4m,” the statement added.

“A further fine of N2m is placed on the club for assault on the players of the away team and match officials.

“Kano Pillars will also pay a fine of N1.5m as compensatory damages of N250,000 each to the match officials.

“As compensatory cost for treatment and damages to players of Shooting Stars and the match officials, Kano Pillars have also been fined N2m.”

It also noted that the club will now play home matches in Katsina for the rest of the season, or at least 10 games, until it can convince the League that there will be no repetition of such an incident. The Sani Abacha stadium is now closed to hosting Kano Pillars home matches indefinitely.

These fines expose how incidents like this favour the League Management and why there has not been a systemic effort to eliminate these irregularities. The violence perpetuated by the Kano supporters should be sternly frowned upon.

The League Management’s decision to fine football clubs for inappropriate actions of fans plays an infinitesimal role in the rehabilitation and education of these supporters. Beyond the penalty of clubs paying fines, structures should be put in place for clubs to enlighten fans on conduct and expectations in stadiums and viewing centres.