NPFL Slams Kwara United With Stadium Ban, ₦9 Million Fine, Three-Point Deduction

Kwara United have been hit hard by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following the ugly scenes that trailed their rescheduled Matchday 22 clash with Rivers United in Ilorin.

The league confirmed on Thursday that the Harmony Boys will serve a stadium ban, pay a total of ₦9 million in fines and forfeit three points and three goals from their tally after crowd disorder disrupted Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at the Kwara State Stadium.

Tempers boiled over at the end of the match after Rivers United grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser through Boluwaji Sholumade. What had been a fiercely contested fixture quickly descended into chaos, with footage circulating on social media showing enraged supporters chasing match officials and confronting members of the visiting team.

In its official communication, the NPFL said the Ilorin club breached several provisions of its regulatory framework. The league ruled that Kwara United failed to provide adequate security, allowing unauthorised individuals access to restricted areas.

It also held the club responsible for failing to control supporters whose actions led to the harassment and assault of match officials and Rivers United personnel, some of whom were injured.

The league described the conduct as one that brought the game into disrepute.

Financial sanctions were issued across multiple counts. Kwara United were fined ₦2 million for inadequate security and ₦1 million for failing to control their supporters.

A further ₦2 million was imposed for assaults on officials, ₦1 million for unsporting behaviour, ₦1 million for holding match officials and Rivers United officials hostage after the match, and ₦2 million to cover medical treatment and related damages.

Beyond the financial penalties, the sporting consequences are severe. The three-point and three-goal deduction has pushed Kwara United down to 19th position on 26 points from 26 matches, leaving them in serious relegation danger with 12 fixtures left to play.

The club must also take their remaining home matches away from Ilorin, with the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta approved as their temporary base for the rest of the season. They have been directed to identify those involved in the disturbances for arrest and prosecution and were given 48 hours to appeal the decision.

The trouble came after Kwara had taken a first-half lead through Shamsudeen Muhammed, only to concede deep into added time. In the aftermath, Rivers United General Manager Okey Kpalukwu was attacked and reportedly revived after fainting, while players and officials of the visiting side remained inside their dressing room for more than 45 minutes for safety.

Kwara United later condemned the violence and distanced themselves from the actions of the supporters. In a statement, the club said it viewed the development with “serious concern and regret” and “unequivocally denounces every act of violence recorded.”

“We are deeply disturbed by the events that occurred after the match and unequivocally denounce every act of violence recorded,” the club said, apologising to Rivers United, match officials and other affected parties, and pledging cooperation with investigations.