Kano Pillars fans will take some satisfaction from news that Warri Wolves have been sanctioned by the Nigeria Premier Football League following ugly scenes after their matchday 10 meeting at the Southern Delta University Stadium in Ozoro.
The game itself ended goalless, with both sides unable to find a breakthrough, but it is what happened afterwards that has landed the Delta State club in trouble. The NPFL says Warri Wolves failed to provide adequate security on the day, which allowed unauthorized persons into restricted areas of the stadium. That lapse is said to have led to an assault on the first assistant referee just outside the venue.
The league body did not hold back in describing the severity of the incident. "A supporter of Warri Wolves assaulted the appointed match officials after the match, resulting in the second assistant referee sustaining an injury to his nose & bleeding," the NPFL stated on its official X handle.
As punishment, Warri Wolves have been fined N2 million for failing to provide effective security, and a further N2 million specifically for the assault on the match official. The club must also pay N250,000 directly to the injured assistant referee to cover his treatment.
The sporting consequences are significant for Warri Wolves. The league has ordered that three points and three goals be stripped from their accrued record, a decision that could subtly work in Kano Pillars' favour depending on how the table shapes up as the season progresses. On top of that, the NPFL has ruled that "Warri Wolves shall also play their next three home matches behind closed doors," meaning their supporters will be locked out for upcoming fixtures.
Warri Wolves have also been instructed to identify the supporter responsible for the assault and hand him over, along with proof that he is being prosecuted, within seven days of the notice. The club has a 48-hour window from the date of the ruling to lodge an appeal against the sanctions if they choose to.
For Kano Pillars, the episode is a reminder of how physical and tense away trips in this league can get, even when the result on the pitch is a quiet stalemate. The Sai Masu Gida will be happy to move on from Ozoro with their focus now on home matters, as they prepare to host Nasarawa United on matchday 11 on November 1 at home, hoping to build on a run that has brought just one defeat in their last nine outings this season.