NPFL fines Kano Pillars N46m for fan violence

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed fresh sanctions on Kano Pillars FC, bringing the club’s total fines to more than N46 million in the last six years.

The latest punishment — a N9.5 million fine — follows violent scenes during the club’s Match Day 8 encounter with Shooting Stars FC on October 12, 2025, at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

The incident, which saw fans invade restricted areas and attack match officials and visiting players, has once again highlighted the club’s recurring disciplinary problems.

In a Summary Jurisdiction Notice issued on October 13, 2025, the NPFL found Kano Pillars guilty of multiple breaches of league regulations.

The league described the incident as “a grave breach of security and sportsmanship,” stressing its commitment to eradicating violence and misconduct from Nigerian football.

According to the NPFL, the fines include N1 million for failure to provide adequate security, N1 million for throwing dangerous objects onto the pitch, N1 million for failure to control supporters’ conduct, and another N1 million for actions bringing the game into disrepute.

The club was also fined N2 million for assaults on players and officials, N2 million to cover medical and treatment expenses, and N1.5 million as compensation to match officials.

Beyond the financial penalties, the league deducted three points and three goals from Kano Pillars’ total and ordered the indefinite closure of the Sani Abacha Stadium, with a minimum ban of ten home matches.

The club’s home games will now be played in Katsina.

The NPFL also directed the club to identify and prosecute the culprits involved in the violence and to submit a revised crowd-control and security framework within seven working days.

This latest sanction adds to a troubling record of indiscipline by the Kano-based club.

Since 2019, Pillars have faced several penalties, including N8 million in 2019, N2.5 million and N9 million in early 2022, N2.25 million in June 2022, N1 million in October 2023, a record N12 million in January 2024, and N2 million in October 2024 — all linked to fan-related misconduct.

The incident has once again sparked debate over crowd control and stadium safety in Nigerian football, as the NPFL steps up enforcement to uphold discipline and professionalism across the league.