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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Kano Pillars Fined N15m for Fans’ Misconduct Against Rivers Utd

From ThisDay · (1d ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Kano Pillars FC has been fined N15 million by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for fan misconduct.
  • The club failed to provide adequate security, leading to pitch invasions and misconduct against officials during a match against Rivers United.
  • Kano Pillars will also play their next three home games behind closed doors, with one remaining this season and two at the start of next season.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a hefty N15 million fine on Kano Pillars FC, citing severe misconduct by their fans during a recent matchday 35 encounter against Rivers United. This punitive action underscores the league's commitment to maintaining order and the integrity of the game. The Sai Masu Gida were found wanting in their responsibility to provide adequate and effective security, a lapse that directly led to their supporters encroaching onto the pitch. Furthermore, the fans' gross misconduct directed at match officials brought the league's reputation into disrepute.

Beyond the financial penalty, Kano Pillars faces the consequence of playing their next three home matches behind closed doors. This includes the final home game of the current season and the first two of the upcoming season. This measure aims to deter future occurrences of fan misbehavior by denying the club the advantage of home support until a satisfactory improvement in crowd control is demonstrated. The club has a 48-hour window to appeal these sanctions, a process that will be closely watched by other NPFL clubs.

We synergised with the NFF Competitions Department at the start of the season to create windows for the Federation Cup. It has been in effect since January and we are running our calender as designed.

— Davidson OwumiExplaining the NPFL's scheduling strategy to accommodate the NFF President Cup.

Meanwhile, the NPFL is observing a break for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Cup. This scheduling, according to NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, was a deliberate effort to ensure a seamless season, avoiding the disruptions seen in previous years. Owumi highlighted the synergy between the NPFL and the NFF Competitions Department in creating these windows since January, allowing the league to adhere to its planned calendar. Matchday 36 and 37 fixtures have been rescheduled to May 3 and May 10, respectively, with the season concluding on May 24 as initially planned. This meticulous planning aims to maintain fixture fidelity, a testament to the cooperation received from the clubs.

We have been intentional to maintain fixture fidelity and it took a lot of planning and cooperation from the clubs to achieve this

— Davidson OwumiConcluding his remarks on the successful adherence to the NPFL's season calendar.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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