The Nigeria Professional Football League has punished Kano Pillars for breaking several league regulations on Sunday, April 19, 2026, when they played Rivers United at home.
The team was found guilty by the league body of neglecting to provide sufficient and efficient security at the game site, which allowed unauthorized people to enter restricted areas. A supporter-led pitch invasion that put players’ and match officials’ safety in danger exacerbated the incident.
The NPFL claims that Kano Pillars also violated league rules because of the behavior of its supporters, whose acts were thought to have the potential to damage the game’s reputation. There have been reports of supporters intimidating and harassing match officials, as well as cases of egregious misconduct that compromised the league’s credibility.
Consequently, the club has been fined a total of N15 million. This includes N3 million for unsporting behavior and N4 million for persistently failing to provide sufficient security. Failing to regulate supporters whose activities resulted in the intimidation and harassment of officials resulted in an additional N3 million fine.
A further N2 million penalty was imposed for disrupting and delaying the game, including harassing the center referee, which resulted in a play halt. The club was also penalized N3 million for repeated egregious misbehavior towards match officials.
Kano Pillars will play their next three home games behind closed doors in addition to the financial sanctions. Both their final home game of the current season and their first two home games in the upcoming campaign are covered by the suspension.
According to the NPFL, the disciplinary actions are a part of the league’s attempts to maintain safety, professionalism, and fair play.
Kano Pillars has 48 hours from the notice date to contest the penalties.
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