By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL side, Kano Pillars have been sanctioned to pay the sum of seven hundred million, five hundred thousand naira only as a result of their flagrant disobedience to NPFL rules and observance of Covid-19 protocols.

The League Management Company, LMC charged the Kano state-owned club for breaching the NPFL Framework & Rules following the infraction in their Matchday 27 fixture vs Akwa Utd at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Sunday, June 13, 2021.

The Kano club was also charged for breaching the COVID-19 Protocol by admitting and/or permitting spectators and supporters into the venue.

Pillars are also charged for encroachment after their supporters encroached onto the field of play, thereby disrupting the match.

The club are further charged for failing to provide adequate leading to failure in crowd control & restriction of access by unauthorized persons to restricted areas.

In line with The Nigeria Football Federation directives, Kano Pillars are hereby sanctioned with a fine of N5 million for breaching the COVID-19 Protocol.

A fine of N2.5 million is also imposed on Kano Pillars for encroachment by their supporters, which led to a discontinuation of the match.

There is also an imposed sanction of a deduction of 3 points, which shall be suspended for the duration of the remainder of the season, subject to good conduct.

The club also face a venue sanction of being banned from their Kaduna home ground and subsequently moved to another venue if there is a recurring event.

Kano Pillars have been directed to submit a revised security plan within 7 days and ensure they comply strictly with COVID-19 Protocol. All subject to approval by the LMC.

The club however have 48 hours from the date of notice to appeal these sanctions.