NPFL imposes heavy penalties on Kano Pillars due to fans violence

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has levied a range of significant penalties on Kano Pillars Football Club in response to violent behavior at their Matchday 8 game against Shooting Stars SC at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

In a jurisdiction notice dated October 13, 2025, and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league determined that Kano Pillars had committed several violations of its rules concerning crowd management, security, and misconduct.

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The NPFL highlighted that the club failed to ensure proper security during the match, which allowed unauthorized individuals to access restricted sections and the playing field. Additionally, the club was cited for not managing its supporters, who were reported to have harassed players, thrown dangerous items, and assaulted match officials and the opposing team.

Consequently, the NPFL has enforced the following penalties:

– ₦1 million fine for inadequate security
– ₦1 million fine for throwing dangerous objects at officials and players
– ₦1 million fine for failure to control fans
– ₦1 million fine for behavior that disrespected the game
– ₦2 million fine for assaulting Shooting Stars players and officials
– ₦2 million in compensatory damages for the victims’ treatment
– ₦1.5 million compensation (₦250,000 each) to match officials
– A deduction of 3 points and 3 goals from Kano Pillars’ total
– An indefinite closure of the Sani Abacha Stadium, requiring the club to host its next ten home matches in Katsina, pending improvements in security
– A mandate for the club to identify and take legal action against those involved in the violence, alongside submitting a new security and crowd control plan within seven working days. 

Kano Pillars has 48 hours to accept the penalties or choose to appear before an NPFL disciplinary panel. The notice cautioned that any frivolous appeals could result in further sanctions.

This latest incident adds to Kano Pillars’ ongoing issues with fan misconduct, a persistent problem that has led to multiple warnings and penalties from the league in previous seasons.