The Nigeria Premier Football League has slammed Katsina United with a ₦9 million fine and ordered them to play the rest of their home matches behind closed doors in Jos after violent scenes marred their 1–1 draw with Barau FC on Saturday.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, the NPFL found the club guilty of multiple rule breaches, including poor crowd control, inadequate security, and allowing unauthorized persons into restricted areas.
Supporters reportedly hurled dangerous objects onto the pitch, leaving some Barau FC players injured and forcing a temporary halt to the game.
“The club failed to ensure proper conduct of their supporters leading to the harassment of Barau FC players and match officials,” the NPFL said. “Furthermore, Katsina United supporters displayed conduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute.”
The breakdown of the penalties includes ₦3 million for fans’ misconduct, ₦2 million for security lapses, and ₦4 million in compensation for injured players, damaged vehicles, and holding visiting players and officials hostage after the match.
The NPFL also ruled that Katsina United must play all future home games at the New Jos Stadium without spectators. The club has 48 hours to appeal the decision.
Barau FC’s Nana Abraham was among those injured, reportedly suffering a neck wound after being attacked by fans following his team’s equalizer.
Katsina United, however, denied any wrongdoing. The club’s media director, Nasir Gide, dismissed reports of violence as “entirely baseless,” insisting that the match was conducted peacefully under proper security.
Saturday’s chaos in Katsina follows similar scenes in Kano weeks ago when the NPFL fined Kano Pillars ₦9.5 million and closed their home ground over fan violence.
