NPFL FINES KATSINA UNITED ₦9 MILLION, ORDERS GAMES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

By Gyang Dakwo

The Nigeria Premier Football League has handed a heavy punishment to Katsina United, fining the club ₦9 million and ordering it to play home matches behind closed doors after crowd trouble in their Matchday 12 clash with Barau FC.

The incident happened on Saturday when Barau FC scored an equaliser in the 69th minute to make it 1–1. The goal sparked chaos as angry Katsina United fans stormed the pitch, attacked players and officials, and disrupted the match.

The NPFL Disciplinary Committee said the club was guilty of several offences that breached the league’s Framework and Rules. The offences included poor security, fans’ misconduct, harassment of players and match officials, and actions that brought the game into disrepute.

According to the committee’s ruling, Katsina United was fined ₦1 million for throwing objects onto the pitch, ₦1 million for failing to control supporters’ behaviour, and another ₦1 million for bringing the league into disrepute. This brought the subtotal to ₦3 million.

The club was also fined ₦2 million for not providing adequate security at the venue, which is a key requirement for hosting NPFL matches. In addition, Katsina United must pay ₦2 million as compensation for the treatment of those injured during the violence, and another ₦2 million for damages to Barau FC’s team buses and for detaining the visiting team and match officials after the game.This brings the total fine to ₦9 million.

In one of the toughest disciplinary actions so far this season, the league also ordered Katsina United to relocate their home matches to the Jos Stadium. These matches will be played without fans until further notice.

The league management said the decision was taken to protect the integrity of the competition and to send a strong message that violence and unsafe match environments will not be tolerated.

Katsina United have been given 48 hours from the date of the notice to appeal the ruling.