The Nigeria Professional Football League has imposed sweeping sanctions on Kwara United following the violent scenes that marred their Matchday 22 rearranged fixture against Rivers United at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin.
The unrest erupted at full time after Rivers United scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser, sparking outrage among sections of the home supporters. Eyewitness accounts say angry fans invaded restricted areas, confronted match officials and Rivers United personnel, and threw objects in protest. The visiting team and match officials were reportedly held inside the stadium for several hours as tensions escalated.
Following its investigation, the NPFL found Kwara United guilty of multiple breaches of league regulations, particularly failure to provide adequate and effective security and failure to control their supporters.
The league announced a total fine of nine million naira. The breakdown includes two million naira for inadequate security, one million for failure to control supporters, and two million for the assault on match officials and Rivers United officials. The club was also fined one million naira for unsporting conduct, one million for holding officials and the visiting team hostage after the match, and two million naira as compensation for medical treatment and damages.
Beyond the financial penalties, Kwara United have been deducted three points and three goals from their accumulated tally. In addition, the club will now play their remaining home matches at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
The NPFL has further directed the club to identify supporters involved in the violence to facilitate their arrest and prosecution, with evidence of compliance required. Kwara United have been given 48 hours to file an appeal.
The development has once again thrown the spotlight on persistent crowd violence and security lapses at NPFL match centres, raising urgent questions about enforcement of safety regulations in Nigerian football.
