THE League Management Company has issued sanctions against Kano Pillars for offences committed during the club’s Nigeria Professional Football League match against Dakkada of Uyo in Kano on Thursday.
Kano Pillars chairman, Suraj Yahaya, had hit the assistant referee Daramola Olalekan after the match official refused to flag for offside as the visiting Dakkada counter attacked to score a late equaliser to force a 1-1 draw.
Yahaya sprinted to the touchline and clipped the assistant referee on the head with his fist as the match official kept his flag down to indicate Dakkada had scored a legitimate goal.
Although footage later showed that there was no infringement in the build-up to the goal, it was disallowed by the referee after over 10 minutes of ‘consultations’, apparently to preserve the safety of the match officials.
The LMC last night announced a total fine of N2.75m and expelled Yahaya from the NPFL.
“Kano Pillars have been charged for breaching the NPFL Framework and Rules during the course of the match vs Dakkada on June 23, 2022,” the league body said in a statement last night.
“Kano Pillars failed to control their officials and ensure proper conduct at all times which resulted in the assault of a match official.
“Kano Pillars chairman Suraj Yahaya also assaulted a match official Daramola Olalekan (assistant referee 1) with his conduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute.
“The Kano club are fined N1m for failing to ensure proper conduct of their officials in obvious disregard of NPFL Framework and Rules as well as the assurance letter issued by the Kano State Commissioner of Police on June 8, 2022.”
The club’s fines also include compensation for Daramola and another official who was adversely affected by the actions of Kano Pillars personnel.
The club was also told to ensure that Yahaya is handed over to the police for prosecution, while Pillars had a suspended two-point deduction imposed.
“A further N1m fine is imposed on Kano Pillars for the assault on a match official. The club are also fined N250,000 being compensation for the assaulted match official,” the LMC added.
“Kano Pillars chairman Suraj Yahaya is expelled from the league with immediate effect. The club are to follow up on the arrest of the offending official to ensure his full prosecution in furtherance of the police report lodged by the match officials on June 23, 2022.
“In the event of any further similar breach of the League Rules regarding the assault of Match Officials, Kano Pillars shall forfeit two points from the points accruing to the club, in addition to any other sanctions that may be deemed appropriate in the circumstance.
“LMC delegate Uchenna Iyoke will get a compensation of N500,000 for lost valuables in the course of the Kano Pillars v Dakkada match.”
This is the second time Kano Pillars are being punished this season over violent action, with other clubs, including Shooting Stars of Ibadan, also sanctioned multiple times over similar incidents.
