By Amaechi Agbo

Kano Pillars will begin new life in Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL matchday 17 in Katsina State following their banishment to the Muhammad Dikko Stadium as well as imposition of two million, five hundred thousand (2, 500, 000.00) naira for disobedience during the NPFL encounter with Rivers United on Wednesday www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

LMC in issuing the sanctions said the four-time NPFL champions breached of Rules B13.52, B13.18, B8.21 and C1.1 of the Frameworks and Rules of the NPFL.

For the breaches, Kano Pillars was fined ₦2.5m and directed to henceforth play their home matches at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina.

Pillars were fined for failure to provide adequate security and ensure restriction of access to unauthorized persons to restricted areas, which resulted in the harassment and intimidation of Match Officials.

The club were also found in breach of Rule B8.21 of the Frameworks and Rules of the NPFL for failure to provide adequate security for match officials after the match, which resulted in the harassment of the Match Officials, after the match and later at their hotel.

They were further found in breach of Rule C1.1 of the Framework and Rule for failure to adequately enforce the proactive closed-door order restricting the entry of fans to the match venue.

“In accordance with Rule C26, Pillars is required, within 48 hours of the date of the notice, to either submit to the summary jurisdiction and the sanctions or elect to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel.

Any such election must be in writing addressed to the undersigned at the office of the LMC,” the league organisers said.

The League body also expressed displeasure with the performance of the Match Commissioner, Haruna Garba of Gombe State Football Council in the MatchDay 16 fixture between Kano Pillars and Rivers United.

Consequently, it requested the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and the Referees Appointment Committee to review Mr Garba’s performance following his failure to ensure smooth organisation of the match.
 
“We request a review of the standard and quality of performance of the Match Commissioner, due to his failure to enforce the proactive closed-door directive, as well as overall failure to ensure the proper and smooth organization of the match referenced above, which resulted in the breakdown of security at the match venue”, the LMC stated.

It further requested a review of his suitability for further matches in the NPFL.

Kano Pillars who lost their match 0-1 at home against Rivers United during the midweek fixtures, will begin their new life in Katsina against Nasarawa United on Sunday