The President of Barau FC, Shawwal Barau I Jibrin, has denied reports of a player being killed during the Nigeria Premier Football League match against Katsina United on Saturday. In a statement issued on Monday, Alhaji Jibrin also refuted claims that a Barau FC player had his throat slit by Katsina United fans.
The match, held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina, saw supporters of the home team attack players and fans of Barau FC, resulting in nine injuries, including one player, a technical consultant, a curator, and six supporters. One of the injured players, Ghanaian Nana Abraham, sustained a deep cut on his neck.
However, according to Alhaji Jibrin, Abraham has been discharged from a private hospital in Kano. The president described the news as a welcome development and urged supporters of the club and football enthusiasts to remain calm, emphasizing that football should promote unity rather than spark trouble.
The Nigeria Premier League has imposed sanctions on Katsina United, which Alhaji Jibrin commended, stating that such measures would serve as a deterrent against future incidents. He expressed gratitude that all injured persons, including Abraham, have been discharged, debunking reports of a player’s death and the slashing of another player’s throat as false and misleading.
The incident has highlighted concerns about fan violence in Nigerian football. The Nigeria Premier Football League has faced criticism in the past for its handling of such incidents, and the latest sanctions imposed on Katsina United may be seen as a step towards addressing the issue. As the league continues to grapple with the challenges of fan violence, the emphasis on promoting unity and sportsmanship remains crucial.
The discharge of Nana Abraham and other injured persons is a positive development, and the football community will be watching to see how the league and clubs respond to the incident. With the sanctions in place, the focus now shifts to ensuring that such incidents do not recur and that Nigerian football can continue to grow and develop in a safe and respectful environment.