The Nigeria Premier Football League has fined Doma United N5.25m and ordered the club to play their next three home matches behind closed doors following incidents during their 1-1 draw with Kun Khalifat FC in Gombe on Saturday.
The sanctions followed alleged security breaches and supporters’ misconduct during the Matchday Nine fixture at the Pantami Stadium.
In its disciplinary notice, the league accused Doma United of failing to provide adequate security, which allegedly allowed unauthorised persons to enter restricted areas.
The NPFL also cited hostile conduct by supporters towards match officials and members of the visiting team, as well as gross misconduct involving an away-team official after the match.
Doma United were fined N3m for repeated failures to provide adequate security at their home matches, while another N1m penalty was imposed over the alleged hostility towards match officials.
The club was also fined N1m over the incident involving the visiting team’s official.
A further N250,000 was ordered as compensation for the medical treatment of Kun Khalifat, head coach Obinna Uzoho, who sustained an injury during the incident.
The league also recommended the demotion of the match commissioner to a lower division over alleged dereliction of duty, inadequate supervision and insufficient reporting of the incident.
Doma United, nicknamed the Savannah Tigers, have 48 hours from the date of the notice to appeal the sanctions.
The NPFL warned the club to improve its security arrangements and educate supporters on acceptable conduct, cautioning that further breaches could attract more severe punishment.
The sanctions come amid the league’s ongoing efforts to address crowd misconduct and improve the safety of players, coaches, officials and visiting teams at match venues.
The three-match restriction means Doma United will have to play their next three home fixtures without spectators if the sanctions stand.
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