The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed heavy sanctions on Kano Pillars Football Club following the violent scenes that marred their Matchday 8 home fixture against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
In a Summary Jurisdiction Notice dated October 13, 2025, and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body found Kano Pillars guilty of breaching several sections of its Framework and Rules, including Rules B13.52, C9, B1.31.8, C1.1, and C11.
According to the notice, the breaches included failure to provide adequate and effective security, failure to ensure proper conduct of supporters, throwing of dangerous objects, misconduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute, and assault on away players and match officials.
Consequently, the NPFL imposed the following sanctions on the club:
- A fine of ₦1,000,000 for failure to provide adequate and effective security.
- A fine of ₦1,000,000 for throwing dangerous objects towards the field of play and match officials.
- A fine of ₦1,000,000 for failure to ensure proper conduct of supporters.
- A fine of ₦1,000,000 for misconduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute.
- A fine of ₦2,000,000 for assaulting away team players and officials.
- A fine of ₦2,000,000 as compensatory cost for treatment and damages inflicted on away players and officials.
- A fine of ₦1,500,000 as additional compensation to the match officials.
- A deduction of 3 points and 3 goals from Kano Pillars’ accrued points.
- An order closing the Sani Abacha Stadium indefinitely, forcing the club to play its home games in Katsina for the remainder of the season or at least ten home matches until the club proves such incidents will not recur.
- A directive mandating the club to identify and prosecute those who invaded the pitch and assaulted officials, as well as to submit evidence of improved crowd control and security measures within seven working days.
The NPFL further instructed Kano Pillars to comply with the sanctions or elect to face a disciplinary panel within 48 hours.
All fines are to be paid within seven working days.
The statement warned that any appeal found to be frivolous or without merit could attract additional sanctions in accordance with Rule E1 of the NPFL Framework.
The sanctions come in the wake of widespread condemnation of the violence that disrupted the high-profile encounter between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars, drawing sharp criticism from football authorities and fans across the country.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
