The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has taken decisive action against Kano Pillars by imposing severe sanctions following the violent pitch invasion and assault on match officials and players of Shooting Stars during Sunday’s fiery encounter in Kano.
In a letter communicated to both clubs and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi confirmed that the Sani Abacha Stadium has been shut indefinitely against Kano Pillars and their supporters. The decision comes less than 24 hours after the chaotic scenes that shocked Nigerian football fans nationwide.
Owumi reaffirmed the league’s zero-tolerance policy for hooliganism, warning that the NPFL would not hesitate to apply its full disciplinary powers whenever necessary.
“We will invoke the rules wherever and whenever required to keep bad behaviour of fans, players, and officials out of the league,” he stated.
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Pillars lose three points, fined ₦9.5 million
In addition to the stadium closure, the NPFL imposed a three-point and three-goal deduction on Kano Pillars for breaching Rule C1.1, which prohibits assault on match officials and visiting teams. The club will now play all remaining home fixtures at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Financially, the sanctions are equally heavy. The NPFL fined Pillars ₦1 million for failing to provide adequate security, ₦1 million for poor crowd control, and another ₦1 million for objects thrown onto the pitch. A further ₦1 million was imposed for bringing the league into disrepute.
Furthermore, a fine of ₦2 million was imposed on Pillars for assaulting the away team players and match officials. Another ₦2 million fine was given for compensatory cost of treatment and damages inflicted on the away team players and officials.
Meanwhile, ₦1.5 million was issued as fine for compensatory damages of 250,000 Naira each to the match officials.
These sanctions mark one of the sternest disciplinary responses in recent NPFL history and send a clear message to clubs and supporters that violence will not be tolerated in Nigerian football.
Tags: NPFL, #NPFL26, Nigeria Premier Football League, Kano Pillars, Shooting Stars, fans violence, fine, stadium ban, points deduction, Davidson Owumi.
