Nigerian football club Inter Lagos has been fined N5.25m by the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for breaching the league's framework and rules during their Match-day 7 fixture against Katsina United on October 4, 2026. The club failed to provide adequate security, allowing unauthorized persons to access restricted areas and attack match officials. This incident led to the NPFL imposing a hefty fine on the Lagos-based club.
The NPFL disciplinary panel found Inter Lagos guilty of multiple infractions, including failure to ensure proper conduct of their officials and supporters. The match officials were held hostage for over an hour after the match, and some club officials and supporters intimidated, harassed, and verbally abused them. The panel also discovered that the team manager and some supporters assaulted the match officials, resulting in an injury to the first assistant referee and damage to his property.
The fine breakdown shows that Inter Lagos was charged N2 million for failing to provide adequate security, N1 million for holding the match officials hostage, and another N2 million for assaulting the officials. Additionally, the club was ordered to pay N250,000 as compensation to the affected assistant referee for the loss of his personal items and medical treatment. The club will also lose three points and three goals from their accrued points and goals.
Inter Lagos has 48 hours from the date of the notice to appeal the sanctions imposed by the NPFL. The club's management will need to decide whether to accept the punishment or seek redress through the appeal process. The incident has raised concerns about the level of security and sportsmanship in Nigerian football.
Meanwhile, Sporting Lagos Coach Jeffrey Buter has been summoned by the NPFL's Disciplinary Panel over his criticism of match officials following a goalless draw with Ikorodu City on September 30. Buter's comments questioned the standard of refereeing in the league, suggesting that officials, rather than coaches, were damaging the league's reputation.
The NPFL's Disciplinary Panel has invited Buter to appear before them this week to address his concerns about the standard of refereeing. The panel's action is aimed at addressing the issue of coaches criticizing match officials and its impact on the league. The date for the hearing has not been fixed yet.
The NPFL's actions demonstrate its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the league and ensuring that clubs and officials adhere to the rules and regulations. The fines and sanctions imposed on Inter Lagos and the summoning of Coach Buter are part of efforts to promote a safe and respectful environment for all stakeholders in Nigerian football.
Key points
- Inter Lagos fined N5.25m for breaching NPFL rules
- Club to lose three points and three goals
- Sporting Lagos Coach Jeffrey Buter summoned by NPFL's Disciplinary Panel
