Kano Pillars Fined N1m Over Pitch Encroachment

The board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a fine of N1 million on Kano Pillars over the pitch encroachment of the club’s fans during their match against Rivers United.

According to a statement on the league’s website on Tuesday, Kano Pillars fans jumped the barriers onto the field of play to celebrate their 92nd-minute winning goal in the matchday four encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

The club was charged with a breach of rule B13.18 of the NPFL framework.

NPFL said the Sai Masu Gida side must pay the fine within 14 days, or failure to comply within the stipulated time would be considered a continuous breach of the league’s framework and rules.

In another development, Heartland FC was issued a “stern warning” over the behaviour of the fans in holding the players and officials “hostage” at the stadium after their match away at Kwara United in Ilorin.

The league also instructed the Owerri-based club to organise an orientation workshop for its supporters on the spirit of fair play best practices.

“It has come to our attention that some irate supporters of your club held players and officials hostage after the match, making it difficult for them to exit the stadium premises until a detachment of security operatives arrived as reinforcement,” the statement reads.

“Such behaviour is unacceptable and tarnishes the reputation of both Heartland and the NPFL.”

Kano Pillars gained promotion back to the NPFL this season after the club was relegated in the 2021/22 season due to points deduction over fan violenc