By IBRAHIM T. LOT
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed stiff sanctions on Katsina United Football Club, ordering the team to play the remainder of their home matches behind closed doors in Jos and handing them a ₦9 million fine following violent conduct by their supporters.
The disciplinary action follows the violent scenes that erupted during the club’s home match against Barau FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina, on Saturday.
In a statement issued Sunday, the NPFL said Katsina United were guilty of multiple breaches of its Framework and Rules, including failure to provide adequate security, poor crowd control and misconduct by their supporters.
The statement further revealed that unauthorised persons gained access to restricted areas, while fans also threw dangerous objects onto the pitch, injuring several Barau FC players.
“The club failed to ensure proper conduct of their supporters leading to the harassment of Barau FC players and match officials. Furthermore, Katsina United supporters displayed conduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute,” the NPFL stated.
The league body imposed a ₦3 million fine for throwing objects, misconduct of supporters and bringing the league into disrepute. Another ₦2 million penalty was issued for failure to provide effective security at the venue.
In addition, Katsina United were directed to pay ₦4 million as compensation for the medical treatment of injured players, damages to the away team’s buses and for holding Barau FC players and match officials hostage after the game.
The club will now play all remaining home matches behind closed doors in Jos, in what the NPFL described as a deterrent against future acts of hooliganism.
Reports from the match indicated that Barau FC player, Nana Abraham, sustained a neck injury after being struck by an object thrown from the stands. The incident occurred shortly after Barau FC equalised in the 69th minute, sparking chaos inside the stadium before order was restored and play resumed, with the match eventually ending 1–1.
The NPFL, however, dismissed circulating claims that the player had been stabbed, describing such reports as “utterly false.
According to the league, “The player sustained an injury after being struck by an object from the crowd. Medical staff attended to him on the pitch, leading to a brief suspension of play before the match continued.”
The NPFL reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining discipline and ensuring safety at all league venues, warning that similar acts of violence would attract stiffer penalties in future.
CAF confirms VAR, extra-time rules for 2026 W’Cup playoffs
IBRAHIM T. LOT
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the official match regulations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup playoff between Nigeria and Gabon, outlining the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR), extra time and penalty shootouts as part of its procedural framework.
The announcement, published on CAF’s official website, sets the stage for what is expected to be a high-stakes and tactical encounter that could determine each nation’s place at the global football showpiece.
CAF explained that if the playoff match ends in a draw after regulation time, it will proceed to 30 minutes of extra time, and if the deadlock persists, the winner will be decided via a penalty shootout.
“If the match is tied after 90 minutes, it will proceed to 30 minutes of extra time. A penalty shootout will be used to decide the winner if the match remains level after extra time,” CAF revealed.
The body also clarified that each team is permitted to make five substitutions during regulation time, with a sixth substitution allowed if the match goes into extra time.
“Each team is permitted to make five substitutions during the regulation 90 minutes. A sixth substitution is allowed for each team if the match goes into extra time,” the statement said.
CAF further confirmed that the VAR system will be operational throughout the match, reviewing key incidents such as goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity to ensure fairness and accuracy in officiating.
“These regulations are standard for CAF’s final playoff rounds to ensure fairness and clarity. These procedural guidelines create a framework for a potentially epic contest, where strategy, stamina, and nerve will be tested to their absolute limits under the watchful eye of technology,” CAF concluded.
The announcement has heightened anticipation among fans and analysts ahead of the Nigeria–Gabon clash, which will determine which side advances to represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.