The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a total fine of ₦9 million on Katsina United FC for breaching the Rules during their Week 12 fixture against Barau FC on Saturday, 8 November, at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.
The disciplinary action follows incidents of crowd violence that disrupted the match after Barau FC’s Orji Kalu scored in the 69th minute to equalise at 1–1. The goal triggered unrest among irate home supporters, some of whom invaded the pitch while others reportedly pelted the visiting team with dangerous objects. One projectile struck Nana Abraham of Barau FC on the neck, prompting a temporary halt to the game.
READ ALSO: 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff: What is CAF’s Intention For Super Eagles?
In a summary ruling issued on Sunday, NPFL officials found Katsina United guilty of multiple infractions, including crowd misconduct and failure to provide adequate security.
According to the league’s statement, the club was fined ₦1 million each for:
-
Throwing objects onto the pitch;
-
Failing to ensure the proper conduct of supporters; and
-
Bringing the game into disrepute — totalling ₦3 million.
An additional ₦2 million fine was imposed for inadequate and ineffective security arrangements. The NPFL also ordered the club to pay ₦2 million each as compensation for the treatment of injured players and damages to Barau FC’s team buses, and for detaining match officials and the away team for several hours after the game, amounting to ₦4 million.
In total, the fines stand at ₦9 million.
As part of the sanctions, Katsina United will play all subsequent home matches at the New Jos Township Stadium and behind closed doors until further notice.
However, the NPFL also moved to dispel circulating reports claiming that Barau FC’s Nana Abraham had his throat slit during the attack. In a clarification issued yesterday, the league described such claims as “utterly false.”
“The player was hurt by an object hurled from the stands and was treated on the pitch, which led to a brief suspension of the match,” the NPFL stated.
READ ALSO: Drums, Dance, Naira: The Power of Nigerian Festivals
Katsina United have 48 hours from the date of notification to appeal the sanctions.
In response, the club dismissed reports of violence as “false, misleading and entirely unfounded,” insisting that the NPFL Week 12 encounter “ended peacefully without any incident before, during or after the match.”
The NPFL reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on hooliganism, warning that any further acts of violence or misconduct will attract stiffer penalties in line with league regulations.
