Match Day 7 Disruption: NNL Slams N2.5 million fine on Gombe Utd

The Nigeria National League has slammed a fine of N2.5 million on Gombe Utd following their disrupted Match Day 7 encounter against Jigawa Golden Stars.

This was part of the decision arrived at by the disciplinary committee of the league house which reviewed the circumstances leading to the disruption of the match at Pantami Stadium, Gombe, on December , 21, 2025.

The breakdown of the fine indicates that N2 million is for bringing the league to disrepute while N500,000 fine is to subsidize the transport and accommodation of Jigawa Golden Stars.

In an official statement, the NNL confirmed it received the match report for MatchDay 7, Match No. 72, played on 21 December 2025 at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe, in the ongoing 2025/2026 Nigeria National League season.

According to the report, the match was scoreless (0–0) at the end of regulation time, after which the referee added five minutes of stoppage time. At 90+4 minutes, fans, supporters, and officials of Gombe United reportedly encroached onto the field of play in protest over a goal-kick decision by the referee. The situation degenerated into an uncontrollable scene, forcing the referee to rescind his original decision and awarded a penalty kick to Gombe United under pressure.

The referee later abandoned the match at approximately 90+24 minutes due to continued encroachment and intimidation, with the scoreline still 0–0.
According to the findings of the NNL disciplinary review committee, it discovered that there was a clear case of pitch encroachment, harassment, and intimidation of match officials, that the referee confirmed that his decision was changed under duress and that the match was eventually called off after more than 20 minutes of disruption, with no goals scored.

The disciplinary committee based on it’s findings ruled that the actions of Gombe United fans, supporters, and officials breached Article 16.1.1 and Article 16.4 of the league’s rules and regulations which necessitated the fines.

The team was also ordered to complete the remaining one minute of the five minutes of added time at the Jos Township Stadium on Friday, 16 January 2026 which will be a closed door fixture with only the following permitted in the match; 20 security personnel, 7 club officials per team, 12 dressed ball boys, 10 host State Football Association staff, including identifiable stadium security personnel

Others are; 6 match officials, accredited medical personnel (names to be submitted at the pre-match meeting), 2 accredited cameramen per team (names to be submitted at the pre-match meeting) and 10 media representatives accredited by the state football association.
However,
The league body however, noted that the Condition for the completion of the match is subject to the payment of the ₦2.5 million fine by Gombe United by January, 9, 2026, warning that failure to comply with the decision will lead to the forfeiture of three points and three goals in favour of Jigawa Golden Stars FC.

The NNL further stated that Gombe United FC must, within 24 hours of the notice, either submit to the summary jurisdiction and sanctions imposed or decide to appeal the decision to the Nigeria Football Federation.