The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed down heavy sanctions on Kano Pillars following the violent pitch invasion by fans during their match against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Trouble broke out on Sunday after 3SC scored a late equaliser, triggering outrage among some Kano Pillars fans. The angry supporters invaded the pitch, disrupted play, and physically assaulted match officials and players of the visiting team.
Security operatives eventually intervened, using teargas to disperse the crowd and safely evacuate players, referees, and officials from the scene. Several 3SC players were reportedly injured during the chaos.
In response, the NPFL announced on Monday a series of tough penalties against the Kano-based club. These include a deduction of three points and three goals from Kano Pillars’ total for the season. In addition, the club was slammed with a total fine of ₦9.5 million for various offences.
According to the league’s statement, Kano Pillars were fined ₦1 million each for failing to provide adequate security, allowing the throwing of dangerous objects onto the field, and failing to control their fans—bringing the subtotal to ₦4 million.
An additional ₦2 million fine was imposed for the assault on players and match officials, and another ₦2 million was levied as compensation for treatment and damages to Shooting Stars players and staff.
The club is also mandated to pay ₦1.5 million in compensatory damages to the assaulted match officials—₦250,000 each to six officials.
In a further blow to the team, the NPFL ordered the indefinite closure of the Sani Abacha Stadium for all Kano Pillars home matches. The club will now play the rest of their 2025/2026 home games in Katsina State.
“The club has further been directed to produce the perpetrators of the ugly incident on Sunday and show proof of their prosecution,” the NPFL said.
Kano Pillars are also required to submit a new matchday security plan to the league body within seven days, as part of efforts to prevent future occurrences.
This is not the first time Kano Pillars have faced disciplinary actions for fan misconduct. The club, one of the most followed in Nigerian football, has been previously warned and sanctioned over similar incidents.
The NPFL stated that it will not tolerate any act that undermines the safety of players, officials, and fans or damages the image of Nigerian football.
Sunday’s incident has sparked wider concern across the football community, with calls for stricter enforcement of security measures at stadiums nationwide.
Kano Pillars currently sit mid-table in the NPFL standings, and the three-point deduction could impact their race for a top finish this season.
