NPFL imposes heavy fine, points deduction on Kano Pillars over crowd violence
..Orders indefinite closure of Sani Abacha Stadium, move Pillars home games to Katsina
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed a heavy fine of N9.5 million and points deduction to Kano Pillars Football Club following the violent incident that marred their Matchday 8 fixture against Shooting Stars SC on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
The league’s disciplinary committee found Pillars guilty of several breaches of the NPFL Rules, including failure to provide adequate security, loss of crowd control, and conduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute.
According to the NPFL, unauthorized persons invaded restricted areas, assaulted match officials and Shooting Stars players, and threw dangerous objects onto the pitch; acts the football body described as “totally unacceptable and damaging to the league’s image.”
The league cited breach of Rules B13.52, B13.18, C1.1, C9, and C11, leading to the following sanctions:
• ₦1,000,000 fine for failure to provide adequate and effective security at the match venue.
• ₦1,000,000 fine for throwing dangerous objects onto the pitch.
• ₦1,000,000 fine for poor crowd control.
• ₦1,000,000 fine for conduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute.
• ₦2,000,000 fine for assaulting Shooting Stars players and officials.
• ₦2,000,000 compensation for medical treatment of affected individuals.
• ₦1,500,000 compensation to match officials (₦250,000 each).
• Three (3) points and three (3) goals deducted from Kano Pillars’ accrued total.
• Indefinite closure of the Sani Abacha Stadium, with the club ordered to play its home games in Katsina until further notice.
In addition, the NPFL has ordered Kano Pillars to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of the invasion and submit a revised matchday security plan within seven (7) working days.
The club has 48 hours to either accept the summary jurisdiction and sanctions or request a disciplinary hearing. The league also warned that failure to comply, or filing a frivolous appeal, could attract further penalties under Rule E1.
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy on hooliganism, the NPFL stressed that maintaining safety and integrity in Nigerian football remains a top priority.
