Crowd Disturbances: NPFL Sanctions Kano Pillars

By Musa Kutama, Calabar‎

The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) has slammed sanctions on Kano Pillars Football Club following alleged crowd disturbances during their match day 8 fixture against visiting Shooting Stars SC weekend, at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

‎According to the NPFL the club was found guilty of multiple breaches of the league’s Framework and Rules, including failure to provide adequate security, failure to control supporters and acts capable of bringing the game into disrepute.

The sanction is quoted thus: ‎The NPFL cited specific violations of Rules B13.52, B13.18, C1.1, C9, and C11, noting that unauthorized individuals invaded restricted areas, harassed players and match officials and threw dangerous objects onto the field of play.”

As a result, the following sanctions have been imposed on Kano Pillars FC: ₦1,000,000 fine for failure to provide adequate and effective security, ₦1,000,000 fine for throwing dangerous objects towards the pitch and match officials.

Other Sanctions include ‎₦1,000,000 fine for failure to ensure proper conduct of supporters. ₦1,000,000 fine for actions capable of bringing the game to disrepute, ₦2,000,000 fine for the assault of Shooting Stars players and match officials.

‎Also included are ₦2,000,000 compensatory damages and cost of treatment for affected players and officials, ₦1,500,000 compensation to match officials at ₦250,000 each.

NPFL went further to deduct three (3) points and three (3) goals from Kano Pillars’ accrued points from source, including indefinite closure of the Sani Abacha Stadium for the remainder of the season, or at least 10 home games, pending evidence of improved security measures. The club will henceforth, host its home matches in Katsina.

‎The club, according to the football governing body, must identify and produce the perpetrators of the invasion and provide proof of prosecution, alongside a revised matchday security and crowd control plan within seven (7) working days.

‎The NPFL further directed Kano Pillars to either accept the summary jurisdiction and sanctions or choose to face a disciplinary panel within 48 hours of the notice.

‎Failure to comply or lodge a frivolous appeal, the NPFL warned, could attract additional sanctions under Rule E1.

‎The league body reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on hooliganism, emphasizing that protecting the integrity and safety of all participants remains a top priority.
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