The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, has provided clarification on why Shooting Stars FC was not deducted points following the violent incidents that occurred during their Matchday 32 fixture against Ikorodu City in Ibadan.
The incident, which saw Shooting Stars supporters attack Ikorodu City fans at the Lekan Salami Stadium, resulted in significant sanctions but stopped short of a points deduction that many had expected.
Speaking on Channels TV, Elegbeleye explained the distinction in the NPFL rulebook regarding different types of violence during matches.
"When you attack match officials or referees, the punishment is different from when there is fans violence," Elegbeleye stated. "So in Ibadan, it was an attack on club supporters by the home fans, which the punishment of ban on them was served."
According to the NPFL's disciplinary measures, violence against match officials warrants points deduction, while fan-to-fan violence results in different penalties, which were applied in this case.
Sanctions Imposed on Shooting Stars
Instead of points deduction, the NPFL imposed several significant penalties on Shooting Stars:
- A fine of N1 million for each charge related to the incident
- An additional N2 million payment ordered for damages to the Ikorodu City team bus
- Closure of the Lekan Salami Stadium to fans for the remainder of the season
The stadium ban means Shooting Stars will play their remaining home matches behind closed doors, a significant disadvantage for a club that traditionally enjoys strong home support.
This ruling highlights the NPFL's approach to maintaining discipline in the league while applying punishments proportionate to the specific nature of incidents, distinguishing between violence directed at match officials and conflicts between supporter groups.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Nigerian football regarding crowd control and fan behavior at matches, issues the league continues to address through its disciplinary framework.
