The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeals Committee has overturned the decision banishing Remo Stars from their home ground, ordering the defending champions to return to Ikenne with immediate effect in a major victory for the relegation-threatened club.
The ruling, delivered on February 27, 2026, completely sets aside the NPFL’s directive that forced the Sky Blue Stars to play all remaining home matches at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
The original sanction followed crowd disturbances during the Matchday 20 fixture against Ikorodu City on January 14. The NPFL fined the club N7 million and banished them to Ibadan for the remainder of the season.
An earlier appeal to the NFF Disciplinary Committee had reduced the ban to five matches. That decision required Remo Stars to serve five home games in Ibadan before returning to Ikenne around mid-March.
However, the Appeals Committee has now wiped out the venue sanction entirely. Remo Stars will host their next home fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
The club faces Katsina United on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in what will be their first game back on home soil. The match also marks the home debut for newly appointed technical adviser Usman Abd’Allah.
Remo Stars currently sit 19th on the NPFL table with 27 points from 27 matches. They occupy the final relegation position with 11 games remaining.
The financial penalties from the original incident remain in place. The club still faces fines totalling N5 million for security failures, object throwing, and compensatory costs.
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The Appeals Committee’s decision restores home advantage for the defending champions at a critical juncture. Eight of their remaining fixtures were scheduled as home matches before the ban.
Ikenne has been Remo Stars’ spiritual home since their return to the top flight. The stadium underwent extensive renovations at the start of the season, forcing the club to play first-round home games in Abeokuta.
The club finally returned to Ikenne for the ill-fated Ikorodu City match on January 14. That game ended in disorder, leading to the sanctions that have now been overturned.
Abd’Allah takes charge of his first home game with the backing of a full Ikenne crowd. The former Super Eagles assistant coach arrived two weeks ago to lead the relegation rescue mission.
Remo Stars last won the NPFL title in April 2025, finishing the season with 71 points. Twelve months later, they fight for top-flight survival with a restored home advantage.
