NPFL Hands Kano Pillars Heavy Fines, Stadium Ban Over Violent Incident Against Shooting Stars
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed stiff sanctions on Kano Pillars Football Club following violent scenes that marred their Matchday 8 encounter with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
In a summary jurisdiction notice issued on Monday, October 13, 2025, and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league found Kano Pillars guilty of several breaches of its Framework and Rules concerning crowd control, safety, and misconduct.
According to the notice, the club failed to provide adequate and effective security, resulting in unauthorized access to restricted areas and the playing pitch. The league further faulted the club for its inability to control unruly fans who harassed players, hurled dangerous objects, and assaulted match officials and members of the visiting team.
As punishment, the NPFL levied the following sanctions against the Kano-based club:
- ₦1 million fine for failure to provide adequate security.
- ₦1 million fine for throwing dangerous objects at players and match officials.
- ₦1 million fine for failure to control supporters.
- ₦1 million fine for conduct unbecoming of the league’s standards.
- ₦2 million fine for the assault on Shooting Stars players and match officials.
- ₦2 million to cover medical expenses of victims.
- ₦1.5 million (₦250,000 each) as compensation to match officials.
- Deduction of three (3) points and three (3) goals from the club’s accumulated tally.
Additionally, the Sani Abacha Stadium has been closed indefinitely. Kano Pillars will now play their home matches in Katsina for a minimum of ten games—or until the NPFL confirms that improved security measures are in place.
The club has also been ordered to identify and prosecute all individuals involved in the violence and to submit a comprehensive security and crowd management plan within seven working days.
Kano Pillars have 48 hours to either accept the ruling or appear before the NPFL disciplinary panel to contest it. However, the league warned that any frivolous appeal could attract stiffer penalties.
This development adds to Kano Pillars’ long-running history of disciplinary issues linked to fan behavior—an issue that has continued to dent the club’s reputation and draw repeated sanctions from the league.