The latest punishment — a N9.5m fine following violent scenes during their Match Day 8 fixture against Shooting Stars FC on October 12, 2025 — has reignited debate over the club’s persistent disciplinary troubles.
In a Summary Jurisdiction Notice issued on October 13, 2025, the NPFL found Kano Pillars guilty of multiple breaches of league regulations after their supporters invaded restricted areas at the Sani Abacha Stadium, assaulting match officials and visiting players.
The league described the incident as “a grave breach of security and sportsmanship,” emphasizing its commitment to curbing violence in Nigerian football.
The latest sanctions include N1m for failure to provide adequate security, N1m for throwing dangerous objects onto the pitch, N1m for failure to control supporters’ conduct, and another N1m for misconduct bringing the game into disrepute. Additionally, the club faces N2m for assaults on players and officials, N2m in compensation for medical and treatment costs, and N1.5m as compensation to match officials.
Beyond the financial penalties, the NPFL also deducted three points and three goals from Kano Pillars’ league tally and closed the Sani Abacha Stadium indefinitely — or for at least ten home matches — relocating their home games to Katsina. The club has been ordered to identify and prosecute the culprits involved and submit a revised crowd-control and security framework within seven working days.This latest sanction adds to a long list of penalties stretching back to 2019, underscoring a troubling pattern of indiscipline. The club was fined N8m in 2019, N2.5m and N9m in early 2022, N2.25m in June 2022, N1m in October 2023, and a record N12m in January 2024. By October 2024, another N2m fine followed for fan-related misconduct.
The incident has reignited discussions around crowd control and stadium safety in Nigerian football, as the NPFL continues its efforts to enforce discipline and professional standards across all participating clubs.
