The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has deducted 3 points and 3 goals from Kano Pillars and banished them to Katsina following Sunday’s violence at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
In a swift judgement, the league body also recommended the demotion of five match officials involved in the game and the one in Lafia between Nasarawa United and Rangers.
In a letter directed to Kano Pillars, Davidson Owumi, Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL said the league will continue to maintain zero tolerance for any form of violence.
For failure to provide adequate security, Kano Pillars were fined ₦1M. The club was also found to breach rule C9 by not ensuring proper conduct of its fans and fined ₦1M. Another ₦1M was imposed for unruly attitude from the fans. Cumulatively, the club would pay ₦9.5M in fines.
Kano Pillars are to play a minimum of ten home matches at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina – the same stadium they were banished to in 2022 after similar infractions.
Consequently, the centre referee, Mohammed B Tuta and the assistant referees Bem Japhet and Shehu Isah have been recommended for demotion to the lower league.
The NPFL have also requested that the NFF Match Officials Appointment Committee review the performance of the centre referee in Lafia Ikechukwu Taiwo and his assistant Usman Opeyemi Edward.
Kano Pillars has the right to appeal the decisions but will attract additional sanctions if the appeal fails.
