The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has formally warned Barau FC after some of the club’s stewards entered the field during its Matchday 10 home fixture against Kwara United FC.
The league said it had received a video circulating on social media which appeared to show Barau FC stewards encroaching on the pitch after the match. The incident has been classified as a security concern by the NPFL.
In a statement signed by its Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman, the league said the conduct could lead to a major security breach if similar incidents were allowed to continue.
The NPFL reminded Barau FC that the designated area for club stewards is the terraces. Their responsibility is to help control the crowd and maintain order among supporters, rather than enter restricted areas or move on to the field of play.
The league also made clear that Barau FC would be liable for any repeat of the incident. It warned that the club would face sanctions if similar encroachment occurred during any of its subsequent home matches.
The NPFL stressed that stewards are deployed under the full responsibility of the host club. It therefore called on Barau FC’s management to take immediate action to correct the security lapses and ensure that league directives are followed at future home fixtures.
The warning follows concerns over the involvement of club officials responsible for matchday security in areas outside their assigned duties. While the NPFL did not announce a sanction over the Matchday 10 incident, it made clear that further breaches could result in disciplinary action.
Barau FC have been instructed to ensure that their stewards remain in the terraces and carry out their crowd-control duties without interfering with activities on the pitch. The league’s directive applies to all subsequent home fixtures involving the club.