The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has fined Katsina United Football Club a total of N9 million following crowd trouble during their home game against Barau FC on Saturday.
In a statement released on Sunday, the NPFL said Katsina United failed to provide adequate security, which led to fans invading the pitch during the match played in Katsina. The chaos reportedly began shortly after Barau FC equalized, prompting some Katsina United supporters to storm the field.
According to the NPFL, the club was fined N1 million each for three separate offenses — throwing objects onto the pitch, failing to control fans, and disrupting the match. An additional N2 million fine was imposed for failing to provide sufficient security at the stadium, while another N4 million penalty was issued to cover damages to Barau FC’s team vehicles and for delaying match officials and Barau players after the game. This brings the total fine to N9 million.
As part of the disciplinary measures, Katsina United will also play the rest of their home matches this season in Jos, Plateau State, instead of their home ground in Katsina. The NPFL has given the club 48 hours to appeal the decision if it is dissatisfied with the ruling. It could be recalled that during the match, one of Barau’s players, Nana Abraham, was hit by an object thrown from the stands and sustained a neck injury.
