Wikki Tourists FC and Katsina United FC played out a dramatic 3–3 draw in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 25 encounter, which was marred by crowd disturbances, club Chairman attack and subsequently abandoned with minutes left on the clock, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

 

Wikki Tourists FC and Katsina United FC’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 25 clash ended in chaos on Sunday after crowd disturbances and alleged attacks forced the abandonment of the fixture with minutes remaining.

 

According to reports, the highly charged encounter ended 3–3 before it was halted following Katsina United’s equalising goal late in the game. Tensions escalated immediately after the goal, with reports alleging that the centre referee was attacked, prompting the reserve referee to step in and assume control of the match.

 

The disruption led to a lengthy stoppage, and after 90 minutes plus an additional 22 minutes had elapsed, match officials decided to abandon the game due to safety concerns.

 

In a related development, the Chairman of Katsina United FC, Surajo Malumfashi, reportedly sustained injuries during the unrest. Reports claim he was attacked following an alleged encroachment by Wikki Tourists supporters. Malumfashi was subsequently taken to a hospital in Bauchi for medical treatment. A video currently circulating on social media shows the club chairman with a head injury, with visible blood stains on his shaved scalp.

 

Reacting to the incident, the management of Wikki Tourists Football Club released an official statement acknowledging awareness of the viral video showing the Katsina United chairman receiving medical attention. However, the club stated that it was not aware of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

 

While condemning all forms of violence, Wikki Tourists FC stressed that it would never condone the maltreatment of any guest, official, or individual under any circumstances.

 

The club further clarified that match organisers were allegedly unaware of Malumfashi’s presence at the venue, as his name was neither recorded nor announced during the pre-match meeting as a guest of the fixture. According to Wikki Tourists, confirmation from the Match Commissioner, Blessing David, indicated that the Katsina United chairman was seated on the Katsina United reserve bench at the time of the incident.

 

The reserve bench area, the club noted, is strictly designated for match officials and authorised team personnel, and the chairman was neither expected nor authorised to sit there.

 

When contacted, the Match Commissioner reportedly confirmed that Malumfashi did not officially announce his presence at the venue, a step required for appropriate security and protocol arrangements to be made.

 

Wikki Tourists FC reiterated its long-standing commitment to professionalism, sportsmanship, and the safety of all participants, stating that had the Katsina United chairman’s presence been formally communicated, he would have received the same level of protection accorded to all recognised guests.

 

The NPFL is yet to issue an official statement on the abandoned match and the reported incidents, with fans and stakeholders now awaiting the league’s disciplinary and investigative decisions.