The Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) has taken decisive disciplinary action against Ekiti Queens following the assault on match officials during their Premiership home fixture against Edo Queens on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti. The incident, described as a serious breach of league regulations, has drawn widespread condemnation as the league moves swiftly to protect the integrity of the competition and ensure the safety of its referees.
In an official statement released on Thursday, NWFL Media Director Samuel Ahmadu confirmed that Ekiti Queens have been fined ₦2.5 million and mandated to play their next three home matches at a neutral venue, the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. The sanctions follow a thorough initial review of official reports and video evidence submitted after the match.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer Modupe Shabi expressed strong disapproval of the incident, emphasizing that the league would not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation directed at match officials.
> “The assault on our match officials in Ado-Ekiti is completely unacceptable and a gross breach of NWFL regulations,” Shabi stated.
“The safety of referees is paramount. Violence, intimidation, or any behaviour that undermines the integrity of the league will attract the strongest possible sanctions.”
According to the NWFL, Ekiti Queens failed on multiple fronts, including:
Providing adequate security
Maintaining proper supporter control
Ensuring a safe and secure matchday environment
Upholding league-mandated safety guidelines
These failures directly contributed to the attack on the match officials, prompting immediate disciplinary measures.
Ekiti Queens now face the following penalties:
1. A ₦2.5 Million Fine
The fine covers various categories of misconduct and regulatory breaches, particularly those related to matchday safety and failure to protect officials. The NWFL noted that the amount reflects the seriousness of the violations and aims to send a clear warning across the league.
2. Three-Game Home Ban
Ekiti Queens must now play their next three home fixtures at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, which has been selected as a neutral ground. This decision is designed to:
Remove the club from an environment deemed unsafe
Prevent further potential crowd-related incidents
Reinforce the importance of strict matchday management
The relocation also serves as a corrective measure, urging Ekiti Queens to implement stronger crowd control and security systems before they can return to their home venue.
NWFL COO Modupe Shabi stressed that incidents like this threaten the core values of the league and must be addressed firmly to maintain professional standards.
> “The NWFL will continue to enforce strict standards to protect match officials and maintain order at all centres. An attack on a referee is an attack on the league itself.”
She added that the league remains committed to safety, fairness, and professionalism, principles that are essential for the continued growth and credibility of women’s football in Nigeria.
The NWFL issued a broader appeal to matchday organizers, home clubs, stadium management bodies, and state football associations to reinforce security operations as the 2025/26 NWFL Premiership season intensifies.
The league also encouraged clubs to adopt proactive measures such as:
Hiring trained security personnel
Improving crowd management strategies
Ensuring clear separation between players, officials, and fans
Enhancing emergency response systems at match venues
These steps, the NWFL noted, are not optional but mandatory under league regulations and essential for sustaining a safe football environment nationwide.
The sanctions on Ekiti Queens serve as a strong reminder to all NWFL Premiership clubs that:
Referee safety is non-negotiable
Violence or intimidation will attract severe punishment
Club management is responsible for home venue orderliness
League regulations must be followed without exception
The NWFL hopes the swift action will deter similar incidents and encourage clubs to prioritize security, respect, and professionalism at their match centres.
As the season continues, the NWFL reaffirmed that it remains focused on building a safer, more competitive, and more respected women’s football league in Nigeria.
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