The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has levied serious penalties against Kano Pillars, fining the club N2 million and issuing a nine-match ban for one of its players as a result of their misconduct during their league match against Nasarawa United in Lafia.
The incident, which saw Nasarawa United going home with a controversial 1-0 victory, has ignited discussions about officiating standards in the league, with critics questioning the integrity of the game.
The tension began in the 40th minute, when Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf netted a disputed goal. The goal, which some Pillars players claimed was marred by offside interference, sparked immediate pushback from the visitors.
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The intensity of the debate over officiating was further magnified by Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, who recently returned to lead Kano Pillars.
Musa criticized the officials, particularly the centre referee Dahiru Muhammed Kawo and assistant referee Abdulmajid Sani Potiskum, accusing them of oversight that altered the match’s outcome.
“This is not the progress I had hoped to see in the league,” Musa stated. “Officiating like this only disheartens players and threatens the league’s reputation. We need stricter actions against poor officiating.”
In response, the NPFL imposed a N1 million fine on Kano Pillars for allegedly damaging the league’s image with public criticism.
A further N1 million penalty was issued for failing to control the players’ behaviour on and off the pitch.
Adding to the disciplinary measures, player Ugochukwu Gabriel, who wore jersey number 26, received a nine-match suspension for post-game misconduct, keeping him off the pitch until the NPFL’s second half of the season.
According to the NPFL’s disciplinary committee, the suspension emphasizes the need for professionalism even in high-stakes situations.
In a firm message to the club, the NPFL also cautioned Kano Pillars’ Media & Communications Directorate about provocative public remarks, warning that future violations could result in even harsher consequences.
The league advised that grievances be channelled through official NPFL procedures to avoid creating tensions.
Kano Pillars, however, have the option to contest these penalties and have 48 hours to submit an appeal, setting up a potentially precedent-setting review of league governance and club conduct
