Pitch Invasion: NPFL Sanctions Kano Pillars, Others

Kano Pillars have been fined Nine-Point-Five Million Naira, with the Sani Abachi Stadium barred from hosting matches of the Nigerian Professional Football League.

The stadium will remain shut for Kano Pillars home games for the rest of the season, while their home games moved to the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina.

The NPFL imposed the sanctions following an incident in which fans invaded the football pitch of the Sani Abacha Stadium, causing chaos and attacking match officials and players of Shooting Stars.

The fine includes Two Million Naira compensation to players of Shooting Stars, and One-Point-Five Million Naira as restitution for match officials.

The NPFL also announced a deduction of three goals and three points from the already accumulated points and goals of the club.

The decisions of the NPFL were contained in separate letters to the affected club and the NFF, which were signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the league, DAVIDSON OWUMI.

The NPFL also recommended some match officials for the Matchday Eighth fixture between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars, as well as two of the match officials in the Nasarawa United versus Rangers game for a review of their performance by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFL, to determine their suitability to handle further NPFL games.

The match officials for review of performance by the NPF are Centre Referee, MOHAMMED B TUTA of Adamawa State, and the Assistant Referees, BEM JAPHET (Benue) and SHEHU ISAH (Adamawa).

For the match between Nasarawa United and Rangers, the NPFL also requested a review of the performance of centre referee IKECHUKWU TAIWO of the Rivers State, and his assistant, USMAN OPEYEMI EDWARD from Osun State.

Kano Pillars reserves the right to appeal these decisions and could attract additional sanctions should the appeal fail.