The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has imposed heavy sanctions on Katsina United Football Club, including a total fine of ₦9 million and a banishment from their home stadium, following violent conduct by their supporters. The disciplinary action comes after the club’s Matchday 12 fixture against Barau FC on Saturday, where fans allegedly assaulted match officials and visiting players.
A statement issued by the league organisers on Sunday confirmed that Katsina United were found guilty of multiple breaches of the league’s Framework & Rules. The offences included failing to provide adequate and effective security, allowing unauthorised access to restricted areas, and failing to ensure the proper conduct of supporters, which resulted in the harassment and injury of Barau FC players. The league condemned the actions as “conduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute.”
As part of the punishment, Katsina United have been ordered to play all their subsequent home matches at a neutral ground in Jos and behind closed doors. The million fine is broken down into three components: million for throwing objects, misconduct of supporters, and bringing the game into disrepute; million for failing to provide adequate security; and million as compensation for the medical treatment of injured players, damages to the away team’s buses, and for holding the away team and match officials hostage for hours after the match.
The violence erupted moments after Orji Kalu of Barau FC scored a 69th-minute equaliser, levelling the score at 1-1, a development that appeared to infuriate some Katsina United supporters. Barau FC later confirmed that one of their players, Nana Abraham, was left with a neck injury after being attacked by fans. Katsina United has been given 48 hours from the date of the notice to appeal the sanctions.
