Katsina United Football Club has vehemently denied allegations that their supporters attacked Barau FC player Nana Abraham during a heated Nigeria Premier Football League encounter on Saturday.
Match Incident Sparks Controversy
The controversial incident occurred during the NPFL clash at Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, where the match ended in a 1-1 draw after Barau FC's Orji Kalu scored an equalizing goal in the 69th minute. Barau FC immediately claimed that their player, Nana Abraham, was assaulted by a pitch invader wielding a sharp object that left him with a cut on his jawline.
According to Barau FC's media operations director Ahmad Gwale, the attack happened shortly after their team scored the equalizer. Gwale suggested the assailant might have been either a Katsina United fan or someone from the home bench, using what he described as "something like a sharp object" that injured Abraham.
Katsina United's Strong Rebuttal
Katsina United responded with a forceful statement, dismissing the allegations as completely fabricated. The club described reports of a player's throat being slashed as "lies" and presented video evidence they claim disproves the violent attack narrative.
"This is the said player in these four videos after the match; you can see what happened and how his teammates are shielding him from cameras as fake bandages fall off," the club stated in their social media posts. They maintained that none of their fans entered the pitch or assaulted the Barau FC player during the match.
NPFL Investigation Expected
The Nigeria Premier Football League is expected to launch a comprehensive investigation into the incident. League officials will review all available evidence, including video footage from the match and official reports from both clubs and match officials.
This controversy comes just weeks after another violent episode in the NPFL, when Kano Pillars fans attacked a referee following a late equaliser by Shooting Stars (3SC). The recurring incidents have sparked renewed concerns about fan violence and safety standards in Nigerian football stadiums.
Katsina United emphasized their commitment to professionalism, discipline, and fair play in their statement, noting that they managed the tense match atmosphere without incident and within proper security boundaries. The club stated they would leave the matter to the League Management Body for proper investigation and appropriate action according to NPFL regulations.
