The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has fined Remo Stars FC a total of ₦7 million and ordered the club to play its remaining home games in Ibadan following multiple breaches of league regulations during their Matchday 20 clash against Ikorodu City on January 14, 2026.
In its ruling, the NPFL said the reigning champions failed to provide adequate and effective security for the fixture at their Ikenne home ground, which contributed to a violent confrontation between supporters of both teams. The chaos reportedly resulted in injuries to away fans and damage to vehicles, including the Ikorodu City team bus.
Remo Stars were fined ₦2 million for the security lapse, ₦1 million for objects thrown onto the pitch, ₦1 million for improper conduct by supporters, and another ₦1 million for behaviour capable of bringing the game into disrepute. An additional ₦2 million was imposed to cover compensatory costs for damaged property and injuries.
Beyond the financial penalties, the NPFL has ordered Remo Stars to relocate their remaining 2025/26 home matches to Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, effectively stripping them of home advantage for the rest of the season. The club has 48 hours to appeal the decision under league disciplinary procedures.
EDITORIAL
The fate of Remo Stars following their Matchday 20 fixture against Ikorodu City is a stark testament to the evolving expectations within Nigerian football, where enthusiasm must be balanced by discipline, and the theatre of support must never tip into the theatre of disorder.
In recent seasons, the NPFL has sought to elevate its standards, both on and off the field. It is not enough for matches to be competitive they must also be safe, well-regulated, and reflective of a league aspiring to professionalism. The sanctions against Remo Stars, chastening in both financial and logistical terms are a clear assertion of that principle. When supporters breach the boundaries of passion and manifest violence or reckless behaviour, the cost is borne not just by individual fans, but by the club itself and, ultimately, the league’s reputation.
Perhaps the most significant aspect of this punishment is the relocation of the club’s home games. Home advantage is more than familiarity with turf it is the heartbeat of community identity. To strip that away, even temporarily, is punitive — but it also signals the seriousness with which the NPFL views safety protocols and crowd management. In doing so, it reminds stakeholders that the sport’s growth is contingent on environments where competition is fierce, but both players and supporters remain secure.
Remo Stars will no doubt contest the ruling, and they have the right to appeal within the stipulated period. Yet the broader lesson remains Nigerian football must continue its journey toward professionalism with clear rules and consistent enforcement. Only then can the game thrive without the shadow of violence undermining its progress.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Remo Stars were fined a total of ₦7 million by the NPFL for multiple regulatory breaches related to crowd trouble at their home ground.
- The club must play its remaining 2025/26 home games at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan after the Ikenne venue was deemed unsafe for the rest of the season.
- One of the fines — ₦2 million — was imposed to compensate Ikorodu City for damage to their team bus and injuries to their fans.
- Supporters were accused of bringing dangerous objects and weapons into the stadium, which the NPFL described as behaviour capable of bringing the league into disrepute.
- The club has 48 hours from notification of the sanctions to lodge an appeal as per NPFL disciplinary procedures.
