The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed out strong punishments to Kano Pillars FC following violent scenes during their Matchday 8 clash with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in Kano.
In a disciplinary notice dated 13 October 2025, the NPFL found the club guilty of several offences, including poor security, assault on players and match officials, and bringing the game into disrepute.
The incident happened during the 1–1 draw at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday, 12 October, when angry supporters invaded the pitch, attacked match officials and 3SC players, and threw objects onto the field.
According to the notice signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, Kano Pillars breached Rules B13.52, C9, B13.18, C1.1, and C11, attracting a total fine of ₦9.5 million.
Breakdown of the Sanctions:
₦1 million for failure to provide adequate and effective security.
₦1 million for throwing dangerous objects onto the pitch.
₦1 million for failure to control supporters.
₦1 million for misconduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute.
₦2 million for assaulting away players and match officials.
₦2 million as compensation for treatment and damages to victims.
₦1.5 million as extra compensation to match officials.
In addition to the fines, the NPFL has deducted three points and three goals from Kano Pillars’ total for the assault on match officials.
The Sani Abacha Stadium has also been closed indefinitely, and the club will now play its home matches in Katsina until it can prove that proper security and crowd control measures are in place.
The league further directed Kano Pillars to identify and prosecute those involved in the violence and to submit a new security and crowd control plan within seven working days.
The club has 48 hours to either accept the punishment or request a disciplinary hearing. However, the NPFL warned that any “frivolous appeal” could lead to harsher penalties under its rules.
These sanctions follow widespread criticism of the shameful scenes in Kano, where fans attacked players and officials after Shooting Stars scored a last-minute equaliser
