Last weekend, the reputation of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) faced another major blow when angry supporters of Katsina United ...
Last weekend, the reputation of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) faced another major blow when angry supporters of Katsina United caused chaos involving players and officials from Barau FC during the week 12 game at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina. Total disorder erupted after the highly experienced Orji Kalu Okagbue dared to equalize Uche Collins' first goal for United. This goal triggered a reaction from some of the local fans, unleashing their fury.
Rather than the home fans encouraging their team to try harder to score another goal, they turned to hooliganism that nearly resulted in fatalities. While no one died, a player from Barau FC, Nana Abraham, suffered severe neck injuries after being struck by a dangerous object thrown onto the field. Thus, there was complete turmoil, but no one had their throat cut as falsely claimed by some troublemakers.
Regardless of whether normal conditions were completely restored, the game resumed following the interruption, and the proceedings carried on in a tense environment. Ultimately, the two teams split the points as neither managed to score again after the unfortunate incident. As a result, Barau FC, who are currently fighting against relegation, left with an important away draw.
Nevertheless, the points gained during the match came with a heavy price, as the away team endured severe physical and mental distress after the unjustified assault. In addition to various injury levels from the clash, the windshield of Barau FC's bus was shattered by the rowdy fans.
In a quick response, the league administrators, based on the match commissioner's findings, penalized Katsina United for multiple violations of the NPFL Guidelines and Regulations. For the offenses related to unsportsmanlike conduct and security issues, Katsina United were charged N9 million. Furthermore, their home ground was relocated to New Jos Township Stadium, where they will host their matches without spectators until further notice.
Shortly after the Summary Jurisdiction rulings by the NPFL were made public, Katsina United, who had 48 hours from the announcement to either accept the decision or file an appeal, claimed they had no awareness of the heinous incidents that took place at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. Even with the substantial evidence presented, the club maintained that there was no assault on Barau FC before, during, or after the game. Isn't this an example of someone lying without blinking?
Regardless, for the time being, Katsina United has been banned from the Dikko Stadium, and the fans responsible for this ban will also face repercussions. Many of these so-called supporters of the team lack the funds to cover entrance fees, let alone travel to Jos to see their club play. However, the most significant loss is the club itself. In the NPFL, removing a team from its home ground is similar to putting it on the path to relegation. Once a club loses its 'home advantage,' it's in trouble.
It's very regrettable that the troublemakers, pretending to be supporters of Katsina United, acted improperly shortly after their counterparts in Kano forced Pillars out of the Sani Abacha Stadium. Rather than Katsina fans taking a lesson from the errors made by Kano fans, who had previously attacked 3SC in week 8 resulting in Pillars being banned, they naively repeated the same mistake.
Certainly, the latest football-related violence in Katsina has highlighted that some supporters still perceive football as a conflict rather than a form of leisure. As a result, they frequently let their uncontrollable enthusiasm escalate, turning them into a danger to the game. Transforming stadiums into battlefields is undoubtedly damaging Nigerian football.
It is truly challenging for a football season in Nigeria to conclude without an incident of fan unrest involving at least one club from the north. Therefore, despite their beneficial roles in Nigerian football, Kano Pillars and Katsina United are increasingly linked with hooliganism. They consistently make headlines due to the violent actions of their large groups of supporters.
Even though it is not and should not be considered an option, some Nigerians feel compelled to propose that if the unbearable situation continues, the NPFL should be split so that teams from the North can have their own league. They argue this would help reduce the risks and dangers that visiting teams face at the hands of these dangerous individuals who claim to be football supporters.
Personally, I don't support this notion, but there is an urgent need to tackle the ongoing issue that poses a significant risk to the league. The solution lies in continuous awareness and re-education of the fans, which I think the different fan clubs have been working on. Regrettably, it appears that the troublemakers have surpassed the true supporters. Hence, the efforts of individuals like my good friend, Officer Jameel Uba Adamu, a security officer at Kano Pillars, are akin to trying to collect water with a sieve.
An alternative approach to address the current issue is for the league administrators to take the application of penalties against violating clubs more seriously. It has been noted that, in addition to being moved to remote locations, it remains unclear whether these clubs are actually required to settle the substantial fines. Official records show that since 2019, Pillars have been fined over N36 million for violations. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that they have fully settled all the charges. Clearly, if these clubs were forced to pay the fines, they would experience the consequences and modify their behavior accordingly.
However, if the offenders are consistently handled with excessive leniency, as has been the case, the problem will continue, and many reasonable fans may avoid attending NPFL games. No football match is worth a person's life. The league organizers need to take all necessary measures to curb hooliganism, as it not only leads to fan disinterest but can also provoke clubs from different regions to retaliate.
Although hooliganism in the NPFL is not limited to the North, supporters of northern teams seem more prone to this negative behavior. It is certainly not something to be proud of, yet Kano Pillars fans are the only ones who show the bravery to fight, even when away from home. It is worth remembering that in 2019, these same fans stormed the pitch and caused chaos at the Agege Township Stadium in distant Lagos following a 1-1 draw against Enugu Rangers in the FA Cup. Some claim that regardless of whether Pillars win or lose, their fans still engage in fights. Therefore, it remains unclear what they truly desire.
Given this troubling trend, all authentic football stakeholders, particularly those in the northern regions, need to take greater action to inform their supporters about the values of fair play. Vandalism is contagious, and without immediate attention, it will keep spreading rapidly. It must not be allowed to grow until retaliation becomes the sole response. Should that occur, football would have significantly worsened the existing challenges that are endangering the country's cohesion. Therefore, we all must come together to combat this destructive force known as football hooliganism.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
