Nigeria: NPFL Slams Doma United With ₦5.25m Fine, Orders Three Home Matches Behind Closed Doors

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has sanctioned Doma United with a total fine of ₦5.25 million and ordered the club to play its next three home matches behind closed doors following security breaches and supporters’ misconduct during its Matchday Nine fixture against Kun Khalifat FC.

The sanctions followed the league’s review of incidents surrounding the 1–1 draw at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

In a disciplinary notice issued on Monday, October 19, the NPFL cited repeated failures by Doma United to provide adequate and effective security, allowing unauthorised persons to gain access to restricted areas of the stadium.

The league also cited hostile conduct by the club’s supporters towards match officials and members of the visiting team, as well as what it described as gross misconduct involving an official of Kun Khalifat FC after the match.

The financial penalties comprise ₦3 million for repeated security failures, ₦1 million for the hostile conduct towards match officials, and a further ₦1 million for gross misconduct involving a visiting team official.

An additional ₦250,000 was imposed as compensation towards the medical treatment of Kun Khalifat head coach, Obinna Uzoho, who sustained an injury during the incident.

The combined penalties bring Doma United’s financial liability to ₦5.25 million, in addition to the restriction on spectators attending the club’s next three home fixtures.

Match commissioner faces disciplinary action

The league’s disciplinary measures also extend to the match commissioner appointed for the encounter, who has been recommended for demotion to a lower league over alleged dereliction of duty, inadequate supervision and insufficient reporting of events during the fixture.

The recommendation underscores the responsibility of match commissioners to supervise matches effectively, document incidents accurately and ensure that relevant information is properly reported to the league authorities.

The NPFL has also warned Doma United to strengthen its security arrangements and take steps to educate supporters on acceptable conduct during matches.

The league cautioned that further breaches of its Framework and Rules could attract more severe sanctions.

Club retains right to appeal

Doma United, popularly known as the Savannah Tigers, have 48 hours from the date of the disciplinary notice to appeal the sanctions.

It remains unclear whether the club will challenge the decision or accept the penalties.

The three-match restriction will deprive the Gombe-based side of home crowd support during the affected fixtures, potentially affecting its matchday revenue and home advantage.

The decision comes amid renewed efforts by the NPFL to enforce its rules on stadium security, supporter conduct and the protection of players, coaches, match officials and visiting team representatives.

The case highlights the obligations of clubs to maintain effective security at their venues and ensure that spectators and officials can participate in domestic league matches without being exposed to misconduct or avoidable safety risks.

The league’s decision also reinforces the principle that disciplinary accountability extends beyond incidents on the pitch to the conduct of supporters, the management of stadium access and the performance of officials responsible for match supervision.