Kano Pillars were on Monday fined N1 million for their supporters’ encroachment onto the field of play during the MatchDay 4 fixture against Rivers United.
Heartland of Owerri were also issued a stern warning to curb their restive supporters, and advised to organise reorientation for them to inculcate the spirit of fair play.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) reached the respective decisions conveyed in separate Summary Jurisdiction notices announced on Monday.
Kano Pillars supporters were found to have jumped the barriers onto the field of play to celebrate their 93rd minute goal in the encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Pillars won by that Rabiu Ali’s lone goal to make it a 100 per cent in all two home matches this season, and be lifted from 18th to ninth on the 20-team log.
After reviewing reports from the match officials, the NPFL charged the club with a breach of Rule B13.18. The club was consequently ordered to pay the fine within 14 days and warned that failure to comply within the stipulated time would be considered a continuous breach of the NPFL Framework and Rules.
For Heartland, the NPFL expressed reservations over the behaviour of the fans in holding back the players and officials at the stadium after the match.
Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi said in the memo to Heartland: “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.
“Such behaviour is unacceptable and tarnishes the reputation of both Heartland and the NPFL”.
The Owerri-based club were admonished to curb such behaviour by organising orientation workshop for the supporters on the Spirit of Fair Play best practices.
Heartland were forced to 1-1 by Katsina United at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri and remained at No. 19 with three points from four matches.
