Kano Pillars have found themselves in hot water with the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following a series of infractions during their recent Matchday 9 encounter against Nasarawa United. The NPFL has issued multiple charges against the Kano club, citing breaches of the league’s Framework & Rules that have resulted in heavy fines and a suspension for one of their players.
The controversy began with a public statement released by Kano Pillars’ Media & Communications Directorate, quoting star player Ahmed Musa, who allegedly made disparaging comments about the match officials. The NPFL has deemed this statement as an act capable of bringing the game into disrepute, placing Kano Pillars under scrutiny for failing to maintain a respectful stance toward match officials.
Adding to their troubles, the club was also charged with failing to control the conduct of their players during the game. This charge follows the unruly behavior of Ugochukwu Gabriel, who wore jersey number 26, and engaged in inappropriate conduct on the field. As a result, Gabriel has been slapped with a nine-match suspension, starting from Matchday 10, sidelining him for a significant portion of the season.
The NPFL has imposed a N1 million fine on Kano Pillars for Musa’s statement, which was seen as a potential threat to the league’s integrity. An additional N1 million fine has also been levied against the club for failing to maintain proper discipline among players and officials.
In a statement addressing Kano Pillars, the NPFL issued a stern warning, advising the club to avoid publishing inflammatory statements in the future. They were further reminded to use official channels to voice complaints, with a clear caution that repeated offenses could result in even harsher penalties.
However, Kano Pillars have the right to appeal the sanctions within 48 hours of receiving the notice. The club has yet to make an official response, leaving fans and stakeholders eager to see whether they will challenge the penalties or accept the NPFL’s disciplinary measures.