The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has slammed Katsina United with a ₦9 million fine and ordered them to play the rest of their home matches behind closed doors in Jos, following violent incidents during their 1–1 draw with Barau FC on Saturday.

In a statement released on Sunday, the NPFL cited multiple breaches of its Framework and Rules, including failure to provide adequate security, loss of crowd control, and allowing unauthorized access to restricted areas at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.

According to the league body, supporters threw harmful objects onto the pitch, resulting in injuries to Barau FC players.

“The club failed to ensure proper conduct of their supporters leading to the harassment of Barau FC players and match officials,” the NPFL said. “Furthermore, Katsina United supporters displayed conduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute.”

Breakdown of Sanctions

• ₦3m for throwing objects, supporter misconduct, and bringing the league into disrepute.
• ₦2m for failure to provide adequate security.
• ₦4m compensation for medical treatment of injured players, damage to Barau FC’s team bus, and the harassment of players and match officials.

The total sanction amounts to ₦9 million. The NPFL also directed that all remaining Katsina United home matches be played at the New Jos Stadium without spectators.

The club has 48 hours to appeal the decision.

The disciplinary action follows reports that Barau FC player Nana Abraham sustained a neck injury after being attacked by fans shortly after Barau equalised in the 69th minute. The match eventually resumed and ended 1–1 after order was restored.

Before the NPFL’s verdict, Katsina United denied any reports of violence or injury, calling them “entirely baseless.”

“At no point during the match did any supporter gain access to the main pitch,” said the club’s media director, Nasir Gide, insisting security personnel maintained order throughout.

He added that the club had demanded a retraction from outlets that reported the alleged violence and threatened legal action if corrections were not made.

The unrest in Katsina comes just weeks after the NPFL sanctioned Kano Pillars for a similar crowd disturbance in October, fining the club ₦9.5 million, deducting points, and closing the Sani Abacha Stadium indefinitely.