Kano Pillars Fined After Ahmed Musa’s Public Criticism Of NPFL Referees

Nigeria Premier Football League side, Kano Pillars have been charged for breaching the NPFL Framework & Rules in their 1-0 defeat to Nasarawa United on Sunday.

The club was also fined N2m with a strong warning to behave better in the future.

The Kano club were charged for a statement from their Media & Communications Directorate quoting their player, Ahmed Musa, in which he disparaged match officials. This act is deemed capable of bringing the game into disrepute.

It would be recalled that Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa slammed the match officials for their poor performance.

In the encounter, referee Dahiru Muhammed Kawo and assistant referee Abdulmajid Sani Potiskum allowed a controversial goal where two Nasarawa United players, including the scorer, appeared to be in offside positions.

Musa, who returned to the club for his third spell in October was disappointed with the referee’s performance in Lafia.

He said: “I’ve been praising the officiating and the progress in the league up until now, but the performance of the officials in this Matchday 9 game makes me wonder if coming back to play in the NPFL was the right choice.

“For the league to improve, we need to address the quality of officiating. Officials must not be allowed to diminish the players’ morale and effort.

“If I keep witnessing such officiating, I cannot encourage anyone to return to the NPFL. It would be a waste of our efforts if this continues.”

The club’s player Ugochukwu Gabriel has also been suspended for nine games, and can only return at the start of the second stage after he was noted to have behaved unruly in the wake of the disputed goal.

Kano Pillars also failed to ensure the proper conduct of their team resulting in the unruly behaviour of Ugochukwu Gabriel during the match.

The club was also fined N1m for misconduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute & another N1 million for improper conduct of their players and officials.

The Sai Masu Gida also reserves the rights to appeal the sanctions within 48 hours from the date of notice.

Musa has scored two goals for Kano Pillars, and the club currently occupies the 13th position in the NPFL with 11 points from nine matches.

Kano Pillars Fined After Ahmed Musa’s Public Criticism Of NPFL Referees is first published on The Whistler Newspaper