Gombe United has been fined N3m, and their stadium has been temporarily closed to fans, NPFL reports. The club was also docked three points and three goals from its total accrued for the season.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) says the move is to its zero tolerance for assault on match officials.

Davidson Owumi, the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, who signed the notice, warned other clubs to ensure the safety of match officials assigned to their games or face serious consequences.

Officials in the Matchday 26 fixture against visiting Akwa United were found to have been physically attacked by fans at the end of the match at the Pantanmi Stadium on Sunday, March 17.

The NPFL in a Summary Jurisdiction notice issued Gombe United said its findings included that Bright Nwosu, the Center Referee, Abdullahi Indabawa, the AR1, Friday Abu Emeje AR2, and Musa Hussainy Talle, the 4th Official were assaulted by the club fans.

Gombe United was charged with breach of Rules B13.52, B13.18 and C1.1 of the NPFL Frameworks and Rules, which arose from their failure to provide adequate and effective security, leading to access to restricted areas by unauthorized persons, throwing objects by their supporters at match officials and the visiting team, and assaulting match officials at the end of the game.

In addition to the points deduction, the NPFL also imposed a total fine of three million Naira on the club, made up of ₦1 million each for failure to provide adequate and effective security and throwing objects onto the field of play, and compensatory payments to the four-match officials at ₦250,000 each.

The NPFL also issued an order closing the Pantami Stadium to fans of Gombe United for the next three home games.

Gombe United has 48 hours from receipt of the sanctions to accept them in writing and submit to the rulings or face a disciplinary panel under Rule C26.