Veteran football administrator and former Julius Berger FC General Manager McTony Taiwo has urged the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to impose stricter sanctions to curb the rising tide of matchday violence across the league. His call comes amid a series of crowd disturbances that have marred recent fixtures.
Taiwo said that while current penalties including fines, point deductions and stadium bans are steps in the right direction, more decisive action is needed to ensure the safety of players, officials and supporters and protect the overall integrity of Nigeria’s top‑flight competition.
He emphasised that incidents involving supporter misconduct and attacks on match officials detract from the quality of the league and put clubs at risk of long‑term reputational damage, particularly when Nigeria seeks to attract sponsorship and grow fan engagement.
Editorial
Recent clashes, such as the chaotic scenes in Ilorin where Kwara United were fined, had points deducted and were ordered to play home games away from Ilorin after crowd trouble, show how serious the NPFL regards security breaches but Taiwo’s appeal highlights that more needs to be done. Tougher sanctions could include longer stadium bans, stiffer financial penalties, and mandatory fan education initiatives to prevent repeat offences.
For the NPFL to strengthen its standing domestically and internationally, enforcing regulations uniformly and punishing breaches decisively is important. Fans deserve environments where they can enjoy matches without fear, and players and officials must feel protected. Taiwo’s perspective reinforces the notion that professionalism and safety in Nigerian football must go hand in hand as the league evolves.
With clubs, supporters and league authorities pushing for better matchday conduct, there is a shared responsibility to uphold standards. While punishment can act as a deterrent, complementary measures such as improved stewarding and community outreach can help tackle the root causes of violence. As the NPFL season continues, how the league responds to these calls could define its future credibility.
Did You Know?
- McTony Taiwo is a former General Manager of Julius Berger FC, one of Nigeria’s historical clubs.
- The NPFL has recently handed out heavy sanctions including fines and point deductions for crowd trouble at matches such as Kwara United’s clash with Rivers United.
- Clubs have been ordered to play home games at neutral venues after security breaches, reflecting stricter enforcement.
- Supporter violence and assaults on officials have become an ongoing issue the league is trying to address.
- Taiwo’s call for tougher penalties aims to protect the NPFL’s reputation and matchday safety for players, officials and fans.
