NPFL Denies Claims of Player’s Throat Being Slit During Katsina United vs Barau FC Clash
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has dismissed viral reports alleging that Barau FC’s Abraham Nana had his throat slit during Saturday’s Matchday 12 encounter with Katsina United at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
In a statement released on Sunday, the league body said it felt “compelled to issue a clarification” after misleading reports of a violent assault circulated widely on social media.
According to the NPFL, the incident was far less severe than portrayed. The player was struck by an object thrown from the stands — not attacked with a weapon — and received immediate medical treatment on the pitch. The game was temporarily paused before continuing safely.
“Reports of a violent attack, including claims that Barau FC’s player, Abraham Nana, had his throat slit, are completely false,” the NPFL stated.
The league also emphasized that its situation room, which monitors all NPFL matches in real time through match commissioners, was in contact with officials from both teams and received updates throughout the event.
“Through this platform, we monitor and manage affairs to ensure matches proceed without incident,” the statement added.
However, the NPFL confirmed that Katsina United have already been sanctioned following findings of security lapses and fan misconduct during the encounter.
“The NPFL will continue to uphold the rules to ensure fair competition and a thrilling league experience in a safe environment,” the body concluded.
Opinion: NPFL’s Quick Clarification Is Good — But Fan Misconduct Remains a Big Worry
While it’s reassuring that the NPFL swiftly debunked the exaggerated reports, the bigger issue still lingers — why do we keep seeing incidents of crowd indiscipline in Nigerian football?
The spread of false reports shows how quickly misinformation can damage the league’s image. Yet, the fact remains that a player was still injured by an object thrown from the stands. That alone should raise serious questions about stadium security and fan control in domestic games.
Football thrives on passion, but when that passion turns violent, it hurts everyone — players, fans, and the reputation of the NPFL itself. The league’s prompt reaction deserves praise, but beyond clarifications, there must be consistent enforcement of penalties for clubs whose supporters cross the line.
If the NPFL truly wants to build a safe and globally respected league, discipline off the pitch must match the talent on it.
