FOOTBALL: Kano Pillars fined, Chairman suspended indefinitely over violence
Emmanuel Alfred
Football Club Owners Association of Nigeria have placed an indefinite suspension on the Chairman of Kano Pillars FC, Yahaya Surajo over his unsportsmanlike behaviour during the rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 31 game between Kano Pillars FC and Dakkada FC in Kano on Thursday June 23, 2022.
The incident allegedly happened when Dakkada Fc thought they had scored an equalizing goal in the 92nd minute of the match and irate fans called for an offside decision to be made.
When it seemed that the decision wasn’t going their way, officials of Kano Pillars reportedly attacked the match officials, the away team and League Management Company official at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano State.
We learnt that Daramola Olalekan (assistant referee 1) did not raise the flag when the goal was scored but was running to the centre of the pitch and when he saw the angry fans and Technical team of Kano pillars running towards his direction, he then raised the flag for offside.
This did not stop Yahaya Surajo alongside his officials from unleashing mayhem in the Stadium as the assistant referee of the day was beaten and the cameraman had his camera damaged.
As a result, the League Management Company (LMC), has imposed sanctions on Kano Pillars. Reports reaching Newsdotafrica has it that the
– Immediate expulsion of Kano Pillars Chairman, Suraj Yahaya from the league
– loss of 2 points from points accrued.
– N1m fine imposed on Pillars for the assault on referee.
– N250,000 compensation to the assaulted match official.
– Club to follow up on the arrest of offending official & ensure his full prosecution.
– LMC delegate Uchenna Iyoke to be compensated N500,000 for lost valuables.
Recall that Kano Pillars at different times has been punished for unruly behaviours of their fans or officials.
Barely three months ago, the Kano-based club was also fined ₦9 million and banished to Abuja. They also had three points deducted for crowd violence.
