It is deeply concerning to observe how the repeated unruly and unsportsmanlike conduct of some Kano Pillars FC supporters continues to attract severe disciplinary actions from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) against the club year after year.
Rather than celebrating the team’s efforts on the pitch, these recurring incidents have unfortunately shifted attention to avoidable misconduct, often resulting in sanctions that affect the club’s image, finances, and overall standing within the league.
This pattern not only undermines the spirit of fair play but also places unnecessary pressure on the players, management, and the broader fan base who uphold the values of discipline and respect.
That is why if this trend is not urgently addressed through stronger crowd control measures, continuous fan education, and stricter enforcement of stadium regulations, it could seriously undermine not only the reputation and progress of one of Nigeria’s most historic football clubs, but also the broader image of the state.
It is a fact that records over the past few years have painted a worrying picture in the minds of football stakeholders and followers alike, raising concerns about the consistency of fan behaviour and its consequences for the club.
Since 2019 to date, Kano Pillars FC has reportedly been fined over ₦61 million as a result of sanctions imposed by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), largely linked to the unruly conduct of some of its supporters during league matches.CN Yahaya extends Anti-Drug Campaign to Goron Dutse Center via Sports Initiative
For instance, in June 2019, the NPFL fined the club ₦8 million for what was described as poor fan behaviour during a league match.
The sanctions continued in March 2022 when Kano Pillars were fined ₦2.5 million, followed by an additional ₦9 million penalty in April of the same year over similar incidents involving supporters’ misconduct.
Similarly, in June 2022, the club was again sanctioned with a ₦2.25 million fine, while further disciplinary action followed in October 2023 with a ₦1 million fine for recurring issues linked to fan behaviour.
In January 2024, the NPFL imposed another significant penalty of ₦12 million on the club over yet another incident.
The sanctions did not end there, as the team was further fined ₦2 million in October 2024. Most recently, Kano Pillars were slammed with a ₦15 million fine following another reported case of misconduct during their league match against Rivers United.
These repeated sanctions highlight a disturbing pattern that continues to attract heavy financial and reputational consequences for the club, raising serious concerns among stakeholders about the need for urgent and sustained corrective measures.
In my view, one of the most effective ways to curb the recurring embarrassment associated with the behaviour of some Kano Pillars supporters is the proper fencing and securing of the stadium, in line with what is obtainable in most modern football arenas across the country.
Without such physical barriers and strict access control, the principle of open arena space, as encouraged under FIFA guidelines, becomes difficult to manage in our local context.
Unfortunately, some individuals tend to misinterpret this openness as an opportunity to unlawfully encroach onto the field of play or disrupt match proceedings at will, thereby creating avoidable security and disciplinary issues.
Similarly, the management of Kano Pillars FC must strengthen collaboration with the official supporters’ club and relevant security agencies to ensure proper crowd regulation and discipline.
Clear structures, defined responsibilities, and consistent enforcement of stadium rules are essential if the club is to protect its image and prevent further sanctions.
Commenting on the issue, former Director of Technical (Sports) at the Kano State Sports Commission, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Maizare, stated that addressing the persistent problem of unruly supporter behaviour requires clear, practical measures targeted at key local stakeholders responsible for matchday operations, security, infrastructure, and governance of Kano Pillars FC.
For Kano Pillars FC management, he stressed that the immediate priority is to institutionalize a structured and accountable supporters’ management system.
The club should formally register all supporters’ groups, introduce identification measures such as membership cards, and appoint a dedicated Supporters Liaison Officer to strengthen communication and enforce discipline.
Matchday operations must also be professionalized through strict ticket control, ensuring that only valid ticket holders gain access, alongside proper segregation of fans to reduce the risk of disorder.
In addition, the club should establish a clearly defined Supporters’ Code of Conduct, backed by enforceable sanctions including stadium bans and collaboration with law enforcement when necessary.
Continuous fan education, driven through local media, community engagement, and awareness campaigns, should also be prioritized to promote responsible support and highlight the consequences of misconduct.
Dr. Maizare further advised that the Kano State Football Association, as the body responsible for coordinating matchday security, must develop and enforce a comprehensive security framework.
This should include pre-match risk assessments, coordinated deployment of security personnel, and clear operational protocols involving the police, civil defence, and other relevant agencies.
Every match, he noted, should have a designated safety officer and an adequate number of trained stewards to effectively manage crowd behaviour.
He also emphasized the need for intelligence gathering and monitoring systems to identify high-risk fixtures and individuals, thereby preventing incidents before they occur.
Regular training and evaluation of security personnel, he added, should be institutionalized to ensure professionalism and consistency.
The Kano State Sports Commission, as the authority responsible for the Sani Abacha Stadium, also has a critical role to play.
According to him, the commission must prioritize upgrading and maintaining the stadium to meet modern safety standards. Immediate steps should include the installation of perimeter fencing or pitch protection barriers to prevent unauthorized access to the field of play.
Controlled entry and exit systems, including properly managed gates, should be introduced, alongside surveillance infrastructure such as CCTV cameras to enhance monitoring and accountability.
Effective crowd flow management, proper seating arrangements, and clearly designated spectator zones must also be defined and enforced.
Beyond infrastructure, the commission should ensure that stadium operations adhere to standard safety procedures, with regular inspections and certification of facilities.
At the government level, Dr. Maizare noted that the Kano State Government, as the owner of the stadium and overarching authority, must provide clear policy direction, legal backing, and sustainable funding.
Priority should be given to capital investment in stadium modernization to meet the demands of professional football.
He also called for the establishment of a state-backed sports security task force comprising all relevant agencies to oversee and coordinate matchday safety.
Furthermore, the introduction of a legal framework that criminalizes acts such as pitch invasion, violence, and vandalism would serve as a strong deterrent, especially when supported by strict enforcement and prosecution.
The government should also back community-based reorientation programmes by engaging traditional institutions, youth leaders, and supporters’ groups to foster discipline and responsible fandom.
In conclusion, Dr. Maizare emphasized that lasting solutions require a coordinated and sustained approach. Kano Pillars FC must enforce discipline and organization among its supporters; the Kano State Football Association must ensure robust and professional security arrangements; the Kano State Sports Commission must provide a safe and well-equipped stadium environment; and the Kano State Government must deliver the necessary infrastructure, legal framework, and political will.
Only through this collective effort can order be restored, financial losses minimized, and the integrity and reputation of football in Kano State preserved.
