NWFL Takes Firm Stand After Uyo Violence

The Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) has taken decisive disciplinary action against Ibom Angels FC following serious crowd disturbances and the assault on Bayelsa Queens players and officials during their Premiership encounter in Uyo.

In an official statement released on Thursday, January 8, 2026, the NWFL confirmed that Ibom Angels have been fined a total of ₦2.5 million and ordered to play their next three home matches behind closed doors. The sanctions followed a thorough review of match officials’ reports and video evidence from the match played on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the Uyo Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State.

According to the league’s findings, supporters of Ibom Angels breached security protocols by encroaching onto the field of play and physically attacking players and officials of Bayelsa Queens. The NWFL described the incident as a grave violation of league regulations and a direct threat to the safety and integrity of women’s football in Nigeria.

The ₦2.5 million fine imposed on Ibom Angels is made up of multiple regulatory breaches. The club was fined ₦1.5 million for contravening Article 26.1 of the NWFL regulations, which covers assault, intimidation, and offensive conduct. An additional ₦1 million was imposed for bringing the game into disrepute and failing to provide adequate security at the match venue.

Beyond the financial penalties, the NWFL also invoked Article 16.4 of its regulations, ordering Ibom Angels to play their next three home fixtures behind closed doors. This means no fans will be allowed into the stadium for those matches, a decision aimed at preventing further incidents and ensuring the safety of players and officials.

The affected fixtures include home matches against Ekiti Queens, Edo Queens, and Naija Ratels, all scheduled to take place between January and February.

Reacting to the disciplinary measures, NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, emphasized that the league would not compromise on safety standards under any circumstances.

“The safety of players, officials and match personnel is non-negotiable,” Shabi stated.

“What occurred in Uyo represents a serious breach of our regulations and the values of the NWFL. We will take stiffer actions against any club whose supporters engage in violence or conduct capable of bringing the league into disrepute.”

She further stressed that the sanctions serve as a warning to all clubs across the Premiership, urging them to take full responsibility for crowd control, security arrangements, and matchday operations.

The incident in Uyo comes at a time when the NWFL is pushing hard to professionalise its operations, improve its public image, and attract stronger commercial partnerships. Acts of violence, particularly those involving players and officials, threaten these efforts and undermine the progress made in recent seasons.

League sources indicate that the NWFL Secretariat has already intensified its monitoring of matchday security across venues, with further penalties expected for any club that fails to meet the required safety standards.

The NWFL also issued a stern warning that any failure by Ibom Angels to comply fully with the imposed sanctions or any recurrence of similar incidents could lead to more severe consequences. These may include extended venue bans, heavier fines, points deductions, or further disciplinary actions as provided under league regulations.

As the 2025/26 NWFL Premiership season continues to gather momentum, the league has reiterated its commitment to maintaining order, fairness, and professionalism across all match centres.

For Ibom Angels, the sanctions represent not just a financial setback, but a critical reminder of the responsibility clubs bear in ensuring football remains a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved.