Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has issued a stern warning to the management of Nasarawa United Football Club, cautioning against any actions that could sabotage the team’s performance following reports of crowd disturbances during a recent league match.
The warning came after incidents at Lafia City Stadium on Monday during the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture between Nasarawa United and Rivers United. Reports suggested altercations involving club officials, which threatened to draw sanctions from the league body.
Governor Sule, who visited the players on Tuesday, expressed strong disapproval of the reports. He stated that any conduct resulting in points deductions or other punishments for the club would be met with severe consequences. “I will take drastic action on whoever is behind it,” Sule declared, emphasizing that personal interests must not undermine the team’s progress and the state’s reputation.
The governor highlighted the potential ramifications of such incidents, noting that the NPFL routinely imposes point deductions for security lapses or misconduct involving officials. Such penalties can critically impact a club’s league standing and playoff prospects. His comments underscored the administration’s zero-tolerance stance toward actions that jeopardize the team’s competitive position.
Sule’s warning extended to both the male and female teams—Nasarawa United and Nasarawa Amazons—signaling a comprehensive approach to safeguarding the state’s football interests. He stressed the importance of unity and focus as the teams continue their campaigns in Nigeria’s top-flight leagues.
The incident at Lafia City Stadium has drawn attention to crowd management and official conduct in the NPFL, a league often challenged by security issues. The governor’s direct intervention reflects the political weight attached to state-owned clubs and the desire to maintain discipline both on and off the pitch.
With the season progressing, the governor’s statement serves as a clear directive to all stakeholders: any further infractions that attract league sanctions will trigger administrative response. This reinforces the state government’s commitment to ensuring that Nasarawa’s teams compete without preventable hindrance, protecting their standings and the broader interests of football development in the region.
