The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed down severe sanctions to Kano Pillars following violent incidents that erupted during their Matchday 8 home fixture against Shooting Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday.
In a Summary Jurisdiction Notice dated October 13 and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, the league found the club guilty of multiple offences, including inadequate security, fan violence, throwing dangerous objects, and assault on Shooting Stars players and match officials.
According to the NPFL, Kano Pillars failed to provide effective security, which allowed unauthorized individuals to invade restricted areas and the pitch. The league also faulted the club for failing to control their supporters, who harassed and physically attacked members of the visiting team and match officials.
As punishment, the NPFL deducted three points and three goals from Kano Pillars’ total for the assault on match officials. The club was also fined N1 million each for poor security, throwing objects onto the field, fan misconduct, and bringing the league into disrepute — totaling N4 million.
An additional N2 million fine was imposed for the assault on Shooting Stars players and officials, while N1.5 million was charged as compensatory damages of N250,000 each to the affected match officials. The club was also fined N2 million to cover medical expenses and damages for the injured players and officials, bringing the total fine to N9.5 million.
Furthermore, the NPFL ordered that Kano Pillars will now play their home matches in Katsina for the rest of the season — or at least ten games — until the club can guarantee that such violent incidents will not reoccur. The Sani Abacha Stadium has been indefinitely banned from hosting Pillars’ home matches.
The league also directed the club to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attacks and submit a comprehensive matchday security plan to the NPFL within seven days.
Kano Pillars have been given 48 hours to either accept the ruling or appeal the decision. However, the NPFL warned that any frivolous appeal could lead to further sanctions under Rule E1 of the NPFL Framework.
The punishment follows widespread outrage from fans and football stakeholders who condemned the violent scenes that marred the high-profile encounter, describing it as a setback for Nigerian football
