The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed heavy sanctions on Katsina United following the violent scenes that marred their Matchday 12 clash with Barau FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
The league body fined the club ₦9 million and ordered it to play its subsequent home matches behind closed doors and at a neutral ground – the New Jos Stadium, pending further notice.
The News Chronicle gathered that the decision came after a detailed review of match officials’ reports, which confirmed incidents of crowd disturbance and security lapses during the fixture.
The NPFL stated that although Barau FC’s player, Nana Abraham, was injured after being struck by an object from the stands, claims that he was stabbed were misleading. The player reportedly received on-field treatment before the match resumed.
Barau FC’s General Manager, Dominic Iorfa, alleged that the hostility was premeditated, claiming that tension began even before kickoff when Katsina United’s officials attempted to bar him from sitting on the team bench despite being duly listed on the match sheet.
He further accused the home team of trying to influence the outcome after Barau FC scored a second-half equalizer, which allegedly provoked fans to throw objects onto the pitch.
However, Katsina United’s Media Officer, Nasir Gide, dismissed Iorfa’s account as “false and exaggerated,” insisting that no fan invaded the pitch.
He acknowledged that objects were thrown but maintained that the situation was quickly brought under control, emphasizing that video evidence confirmed the player was not attacked or killed, contrary to viral reports.
In its statement, the NPFL reiterated its commitment to maintaining the league’s integrity and ensuring player safety, adding that such incidents undermine ongoing efforts to rebuild confidence in Nigerian football.
The governing body said it would continue to monitor future matches closely to prevent a recurrence of similar disruptions.
