THE Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has come down heavily on Katsina United following the attack on Barau FC and their players during a league match in Katsina yesterday.

Katsina United fans invaded the pitch and assaulted Barau FC shortly after the visitors equalised.

During the pitch invasion, Barau FC player Nana Abraham was stabbed in the neck with a sharp object, leaving him bleeding profusely.

The intervention of law enforcement operatives prevented further damage, and the match was eventually resumed and concluded, ending in a 1-1 draw.

Thankfully, Abraham is in stable condition after receiving medical treatment, and the NPFL has now imposed severe sanctions on the offending club.

“Katsina United have been charged for breaching the Framework & Rules of NPFL in the course of their Matchday 12 fixture vs Barau FC on Saturday,” the NPFL stated today.

“The club failed to provide adequate and effective security resulting in unauthorised persons gaining access to restricted areas.

“Katsina United also failed to ensure proper conduct of their supporters leading to the harassment of Barau FC players and match officials.

“Supporters of Katsina United also threw harmful objects onto the pitch resulting in the injuries of Barau FC players.

“Furthermore, Katsina United supporters displayed conduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute.”

The league announced a wide range of sanctions, including fines totalling N9 million and banishment to Jos, about 450 kilometres from Katsina.

“Katsina United will play all their subsequent home matches at the stadium in Jos and behind closed doors,” NPFL said.

“The club have been fined N1m each for throwing objects towards the pitch, failing to ensure proper conduct of their supporters and bringing the game into disrepute, totalling N3m.

“A N2m fine has also been placed on Katsina Utd for failing to provide adequate and effective security.

“The club will further pay N2m each as compensation for treatment of injuries and damages to the away team’s buses; and for holding the match officials and away team hostage for hours after the match, totalling N4m.”

The NPFL has given Katsina United 48 hours within the date of the notice to appeal the sanctions.

Similar sanctions were imposed on Kano Pillars, plus a three-point deduction, for crowd violence in the NPFL fixture against 3SC just four weeks ago.

Incidentally, Kano Pillars were banished to Katsina.