The League Management Company has fined both Katsina United and Kano Pillars a sum of N3.5m and N1.2m respectively over their fans’ misconduct in the matchday 15 of the Nigeria Professional Football League on Wednesday, January 16, 2020 held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. The body added that subsequent NPFL matches between both clubs would be played behind closed doors until the two sides and other stakeholders reach an understanding that will guarantee peaceful behaviour of the fans and respect for public order during the matches.
In a statement by the media department of the LMC on Friday, it stated that all matches involving both clubs would be supervised by the management company to prevent future violence.
“As part of steps to put an end to the unhealthy rivalry, the LMC has elected to supervise meetings and engagements between Katsina United and Kano Pillars Management and their respective supporters clubs’ leadership to discuss the persistent rivalry between the two clubs fans with the objective to curtailing any future occurrences of breaches and ensure peaceful engagement between the two clubs,” the statement reads.
“And to preserve the health of furniture at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Kano Pillars and Katsina United are to share the cost of the replacement of the damaged seats and glass windows at the stadium upon validation of the fair cost of repairs by the LMC.
“Still to ensure that no further incident occurs at matches between both clubs, they have been directed to continue to engage and cooperate with the police and other security agencies to ensure proper Identification of the unruly fans involved in the aggressive incidents and breach of public peace in the aftermath of the match for further investigation and necessary actions/prosecution. To this end, an LMC special delegate will be assigned to monitor this process and ensure full compliance.
“It further said while imposing some financial sanctions on both clubs in accordance with the NPFL Framework and Rules, the LMC might impose further deterrent measures on both clubs if the final police investigations report warranted such a move.
“A summary jurisdiction notice by the LMC signed by Salihu Abubakar, the chief operating officer, noted that upon a review of the official reports and investigation into the Match Day 15 fixture including the incidents that occurred thereafter, Katsina United and Kano Pillars were found in breach of Rules C23- 26.
“The LMC said considering the findings and in the exercise of its powers of summary jurisdiction pursuant to Rule C23 – C26, Katsina United were fined a total of N3.5m and an order to play subsequent home matches behind closed doors pending completion of investigation while Kano Pillars were fined N1.2m.
“The clubs are required, within 48 hours of the date of the notice, to either submit in writing to the summary jurisdiction and the sanctions or elect to be dealt with by a commission.”
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