Plateau United Penalized with Points Deduction and Fines for Breach of NPFL Rules Following Incident Against Rangers International

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has sanctioned Plateau United FC following multiple breaches of league regulations during their Matchday 11 fixture against Rangers International on Sunday, November 10. Plateau United have been penalized with a deduction of three points and three goals from their season tally, alongside a series of fines amounting to over N4.5 million, after an incident where inadequate security and misconduct from supporters resulted in violence directed at match officials and the visiting team.

The penalties stem from Plateau United’s failure to provide effective security, which allowed supporters to throw objects towards the field, injuring a match official. Following the game, a match official and a Rangers International player were attacked by Plateau United fans, prompting the NPFL to deem this behavior as detrimental to the reputation of the league.

The NPFL has outlined the following sanctions against Plateau United:

- Points Deduction: Plateau United will forfeit three points and three goals from their accumulated season total as a consequence of the security breach and assault on a match official.

  

- Financial Penalties: Plateau United faces a total of N4 million in fines. The club has been fined N1 million each for failing to ensure adequate security and for allowing objects to be thrown toward the field. An additional N2 million penalty covers the club’s failure to control supporter conduct and for behavior deemed detrimental to the league’s reputation.

- Compensation for Assaulted Individuals: Plateau United must pay N500,000 in compensation to the individuals who suffered attacks, with N250,000 designated each for the injured match official, Zakari Aminu, and Rangers player, Daniel Onyia.

- Costs for Damages: In addition to these fines, Plateau United will bear the cost of repairs to the Rangers team bus and cover any verifiable losses and damages incurred during the incident.

- Closed-Door Matches: As part of their punishment, Plateau United will play their next three home games behind closed doors at New Jos Stadium, barring supporters from attending.

Plateau United has been given a 48-hour window to appeal these sanctions.

These disciplinary actions reflect the NPFL’s zero-tolerance policy towards violence and security negligence at matches. Plateau United, facing significant consequences, will need to address these breaches as they seek to move forward in the season while adhering to league standards for safety and conduct.