The Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) has sanctioned Ekiti Queens with a ₦2.5 million fine and a three-match home ban following a violent attack on match officials during their Matchday 3 fixture against Edo Queens in Ado-Ekiti.
The sanctions were announced on Thursday after a review of official match reports and video evidence into incidents that unfolded after the 1–0 defeat.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer Modupe Shabi condemned the behaviour as “a gross breach of league regulations,” stressing that the safety of referees is of utmost importance and that intimidation or violence will not be tolerated.
The league ruled that Ekiti Queens failed in their duty to provide adequate security, control supporters, and ensure a safe match environment — breaches that contributed to the assault on officials.
In addition to the fine, Ekiti Queens have been ordered to play their next three home matches at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, serving a neutral-venue ban for their Ado-Ekiti fans.
Officials say the sanctions are intended to deter similar misconduct across all clubs and reinforce the league’s commitment to protecting match officials and upholding competition integrity.
Editorial
Across the expanse of Nigeria’s football landscape from the men’s top flight to the burgeoning women’s game — there exists a precarious tension between passion and chaos. The NWFL’s decisive sanctions against Ekiti Queens this week, in response to the assault on match officials, should be understood not as administrative sternness for its own sake, but as a necessary defensive measure for the integrity of the sport.
Football thrives on emotion the bounce in a crowd, the swell of collective fervour yet it collapses into something darker when that sentiment cascades into violence. The scenes in Ado-Ekiti, where referees were pursued and pelted with objects, marked a moment where the joy of competition gave way to danger. The league’s response a fine, a banishment, a clear public rebuke says football must remain a game of controlled conflict, not uncontrolled crusade.
For the women’s league, which continues its effort to grow visibility, investment and professionalism, such incidents offer a stark reminder of the fragility of progress. A community’s passion should be harnessed as fuel for growth, not as a threat to safety. If referees cannot officiate without fear, if players and officials cannot conduct themselves with dignity, then the league risks undermining the very platform it is trying to strengthen.
The sanctions are about deterrence, yes — but also about signalling that football must be safeguarded. Clubs, fans and communities must internalise that the spirit of competition does not extend to the endangerment of those whose role is to keep the game fair. If the women’s game is to flourish, its stakeholders must insist on respect on the pitch, in stands, and beyond.
Did You Know?
- The assault on match officials came after Ekiti Queens lost 1–0 to Edo Queens, with Edo’s Atume Doosuur scoring the decisive goal in the 65th minute.
- Videos shared on social media showed fans not only invading the pitch but throwing stones, bottles and other objects at referees, forcing officials to flee for safety.
- The neutral-venue order means Ekiti Queens must play their next three home games in Abeokuta, a punishment designed to deprive them of home support after security failures.
- This is one of the sternest punishments in recent women’s league history and reflects growing pressure on Nigerian football authorities to combat fan violence across both men’s and women’s competitions, which have seen similar issues in the NPFL as well.
- NWFL regulations specifically require clubs to ensure “adequate security, crowd control and a safe match environment” — breaches of which can lead to fines, bans, and other disciplinary actions.
