Kwara United Docked Points, Fined ₦9m After ‘Holding Referees Hostage’ at NPFL Game
Kwara United have been hit with heavy sanctions by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after
crowd violence marred their Matchday 22 clash against Rivers United at the Rashidi Yekini Mainbowl in
Ilorin.
The club has been docked three points, fined ₦9 million and banished from its home stadium following
an unruly atmosphere that saw match officials and the visiting team detained for hours after the match.
The NPFL said the sanctions stem from a series of rule breaches during the match on Wednesday,
February 18, 2026, which finished 1–1.
The league found that supporters invaded restricted areas and assaulted referees and officials from
Rivers United, forcing them to remain inside the stadium long after the final whistle amid security
concerns.
In addition to the three-point and three-goal deduction, Kwara United were fined for multiple offences,
including inadequate security, failure to control supporters, assault on match officials and holding the
match officials and visiting team hostage for several hours, a sanction that makes up part of the ₦9
million levy.
The NPFL has also banished Kwara United from playing future home fixtures at the Kwara State Stadium
in Ilorin for the remainder of the season, directing the club to stage its remaining home games at the
MKO Abiola Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
League authorities have ordered Kwara United to identify and hand over supporters directly involved in
the violence to law enforcement for prosecution, and the club has been given 48 hours to lodge an
appeal against the sanctions.
The punishments underscore the NPFL’s tough stance on crowd misconduct and security breaches after
a season that has seen increasing concerns over safety and order at match venues.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
