Inter Lagos docked three points and three goals over assault on match officials
Inter Lagos have been deducted three points and three goals and fined ₦5.25 million after their officials and supporters assaulted match officials following their NPFL clash with Katsina United.
Inter Lagos have been hit with a heavy disciplinary sanction by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after match officials were assaulted following their Matchday 7 clash with Katsina United.
The Lagos-based club have been deducted three points and three goals from their accrued totals and fined a combined ₦5.25 million following a series of breaches during and after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
According to the NPFL’s disciplinary decision, Inter Lagos failed to provide adequate and effective security for the fixture, allowing unauthorised individuals to gain access to restricted areas.
The league body said the match officials were attacked while attempting to leave the stadium after the game, with the officials reportedly held for more than an hour before they could depart.
Inter Lagos officials, alongside some supporters, were also accused of intimidating, harassing and verbally abusing the match officials in conduct deemed capable of bringing the league into disrepute.
The incident escalated when the club’s team manager, together with some supporters, allegedly assaulted the officials.
The first assistant referee suffered an injury to his face during the incident and also lost personal belongings, including damage to his mobile phone. The NPFL has ordered Inter Lagos to compensate the affected official for his damaged property and medical treatment.
The club were fined ₦2 million for failing to provide adequate security and another ₦1 million for holding the match officials for more than an hour.
A further ₦2 million fine was imposed for the assault, while ₦250,000 was awarded as compensation to the injured assistant referee.
The three-point and three-goal deduction represents the most significant sporting punishment, with the NPFL specifically linking the sanction to the assault and injury suffered by the first assistant referee.
The disciplinary action comes just one day after Inter Lagos and Katsina United played out a 1-1 draw in Lagos. Nura Abdulbari gave Katsina United the lead in the 34th minute before Kevwe Iyede equalised eight minutes later.
The result had been Inter Lagos’ seventh league fixture of the 2026/27 NPFL campaign, with the club having recorded mixed results during the opening weeks of the season. Their previous fixtures included a 1-0 away victory over Enyimba and defeats to Shooting Stars, Doma United and Plateau United.
The NPFL has given Inter Lagos 48 hours from the date of notification to appeal the sanctions.
The punishment also adds to growing concerns over discipline and match-day security in the NPFL, following other recent cases involving misconduct towards match officials.
For example, Bendel Insurance coach Kennedy Boboye received a 17-match touchline ban last season after being accused of assaulting match officials, although the NPFL later suspended the remaining portion of that sanction.
Inter Lagos now face the prospect of losing valuable ground in the league standings as they consider whether to challenge the disciplinary ruling.
