The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has slammed Kano Pillars Football Club with heavy penalties following the violent incidents that erupted during their Matchday 8 home game against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
In a Summary Jurisdiction Notice dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the league’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the NPFL found Kano Pillars guilty of breaching several sections of its Framework and Rules.
These include failures in security provision, poor crowd management, throwing of dangerous objects, and assault on away players and match officials.
The league stated that the club’s actions were “capable of bringing the game to disrepute,” emphasizing that such behaviour undermines the integrity and safety of Nigerian football.
NPFL lists multiple penalties
As a result, the NPFL imposed a series of fines and disciplinary actions against Kano Pillars.
The N9.5m fine and sanctions include ₦1m each for failure to provide security, throwing dangerous objects, failure to control supporters, and misconduct. The club will also pay ₦2m each for assaulting away players and for compensatory damages, plus ₦1.5m in additional compensation to the match officials.
Beyond the financial penalties, the NPFL deducted three points and three goals from Kano Pillars’ league record.
The Sani Abacha Stadium has also been closed indefinitely, with the team ordered to play their home matches in Katsina for the rest of the season or at least ten games until they can prove such incidents will not happen again.
The club has been directed to identify and prosecute those who invaded the pitch and assaulted officials, while also submitting evidence of improved security and crowd control within seven working days.
League issues stern warning
The NPFL warned that failure to comply with the sanctions would result in the club being referred to a disciplinary panel within 48 hours.
All fines must be paid within seven working days, the statement added.
The league further cautioned that any appeal deemed frivolous or lacking merit could lead to additional punishments under Rule E1 of its Framework.
The sanctions followed widespread outrage from football fans, analysts, and stakeholders who condemned the violent disruption of the highly anticipated clash between Kano Pillars and 3SC, calling for tougher measures to curb hooliganism in Nigerian football.
