Kano Pillars have been handed a N15 million fine by the Nigeria Premier Football League following crowd trouble during their home match against Rivers United at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
The club won the game 2-1 — with Abdullahi Musa and Ahmed Musa scoring — but the events surrounding the match have now landed Sai Masu Gida in serious trouble with the league authorities.
The sanctions are broken down across multiple offences. Kano Pillars were fined N3 million for repeatedly failing to ensure their supporters behaved properly, which led to match officials being harassed and intimidated. A further N3 million penalty was imposed for repeated gross misconduct directed at those same officials.
The club were also fined N2 million specifically because the match was disrupted and delayed, with the centre referee harassed to the point that play had to be stopped. On top of all that, the NPFL found that Kano Pillars failed to maintain adequate security, allowing unauthorised individuals into restricted areas of the stadium.
The most immediate consequence for supporters is the behind-closed-doors order. Kano Pillars will now complete their remaining NPFL fixtures without fans in attendance — a blow for a fanbase that has been a consistent presence at the Sani Abacha Stadium throughout the season.
The club have 48 hours from the date of the official notice to lodge an appeal against the sanctions.