Violence and Unruly Fans Push NPFL to the Brink

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is once again battling for its reputation as crowd violence, poor officiating, and a win-at-all-costs mentality continue to plague the domestic game, leaving sponsors, broadcasters and families unwilling to embrace the league.

What should be a unifying sport has too often descended into chaos. From referees beaten into comas to players nearly lynched by angry fans, the NPFL has struggled to curb an ugly culture of hooliganism.

In April this year, Plateau United’s star forward, Vincent Temitope, narrowly escaped death after Nasarawa United supporters stabbed him multiple times following a league game in Lafia. This came despite the stadium only recently reopening to fans after a ban for previous incidents. Similarly, in 2022, referee Patience Nweke was left in a coma after being assaulted by players and thugs during an NNL fixture in Delta State.

The violence is not new. In 1995, Igeniwari George, younger brother of ex-Super Eagles star Finidi George, was shot dead outside the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, after an FA Cup tie. Nearly three decades later, Nigerian football is still haunted by the same menace.

Stakeholders say the root causes include poor officiating, corruption among club officials, and clubs deliberately employing thugs as “supporters” to intimidate opponents and referees. According to former Dolphins of Port Harcourt media officer, China Acheru, families now avoid match venues, depriving the NPFL of revenue and sponsors.

“Corporate brands will not invest in a league defined by violence and disorder,” said Andrew Ekejiuba, Head of Media at GTI Investment Group, the NPFL’s official financial partner.

The situation mirrors global challenges. From deadly riots in France to England’s infamous Hillsborough disaster, football hooliganism has scarred the sport worldwide. But unlike Nigeria, many countries have adopted stricter measures. England introduced all-seater stadiums and harsher bans on violent fans, while Uganda passed a 2023 law jailing hooligans for up to 10 years.

Calls are now growing for Nigeria to adopt similar legislation. NPFL club owners recently urged the NFF and league board to push for laws that would jail fans who assault referees or players. Former Adamawa United chairman, Emmanuel Zira, argued that poor officiating fuels most of the violence. “Unless referees stop selling their conscience, fans will keep taking the law into their hands,” he said.

CAF’s Head of Safety and Security, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, insists a multi-pronged approach is needed: tougher laws, stricter regulations, better policing, and public denouncements of violence by clubs themselves.

Until then, Nigerian football risks losing what little credibility it has left. With the 2025/26 NPFL season just underway, stakeholders agree that the league can only regain sponsors, families, and global respect if decisive action is taken to make stadiums safe again.