Warri Wolves have been docked three points and three goals and ordered to play their next three home matches behind closed doors following an assault on a match official after their goalless draw against Kano Pillars, with the Delta State Sports Commission offering a ₦200,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
The Euromatch-NPFL imposed ₦4 million in fines on the Warri-based club and ordered it to pay a further ₦250,000 in compensation for the injured assistant referee’s treatment. The league has also given the club seven days to identify the alleged assailant and provide evidence of prosecution.
The sanctions follow an incident after Sunday’s Matchday 10 fixture at the Southern Delta University Stadium in Ozoro, where the league said inadequate security allowed unauthorized persons to access restricted areas. A Warri Wolves supporter allegedly assaulted the appointed match officials, leaving the second assistant referee with a nose injury and bleeding.
Before the league announced its punishment, the Delta State Sports Commission had already appealed to the public for information that could lead to the suspect’s identification and arrest, offering a financial incentive to help bring the case forward.
Delta offers reward to identify suspect
Onoriode Oborevwori, chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, announced a ₦200,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the assault.
According to a statement issued by Warri Wolves club secretary Henry Ukah, Oborevwori was present at the stadium for the match and described the incident as heartbreaking.
The chairman expressed disbelief that a match official could be attacked after being escorted out of the stadium by security personnel and reaching the officials’ bus outside the venue.
The reward, he said, was intended to facilitate the suspect’s immediate identification and arrest, while reinforcing the Commission’s zero-tolerance stance on hooliganism and violence in football.
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Oborevwori also apologized to the NPFL authorities, referees’ associations and other football stakeholders over the incident. He stressed that the person responsible must be identified and face the appropriate consequences, adding that decisive action would help deter similar misconduct.
The Commission appealed to anyone with credible information to assist the Ughelli Area Command of the police, where the case had been reported, and cooperate with security agencies to ensure the suspect’s arrest and appropriate legal action.
NPFL imposes points and goals deductions
The league’s subsequent decision has placed additional pressure on Warri Wolves to ensure that the person responsible is identified.
In its disciplinary announcement, the Euromatch-NPFL fined the club ₦2 million for failing to provide adequate and effective security and another ₦2 million for the assault on a match official.
A further ₦250,000 must be paid as compensation for the affected assistant referee’s medical treatment, bringing the total financial liability to ₦4.25 million.
The sporting sanctions are equally significant. Three points and three goals will be deducted from Warri Wolves’ accrued tally, while their next three home matches must be played behind closed doors.
The league said the security failure allowed unauthorized persons to gain access to restricted areas. The subsequent assault, which left the second assistant referee with a bleeding nose, prompted the more severe sporting penalties.
Seven-day deadline to produce alleged assailant
Warri Wolves have been directed to identify and provide the person who assaulted the assistant referee and submit evidence of prosecution within seven days.
The club has 48 hours from the date of the disciplinary notice to appeal the sanctions.
The league’s demand and the state commission’s reward share the same immediate objective: identifying the person responsible and ensuring the case proceeds through the appropriate legal channels.
The state’s offer seeks information from members of the public, while the NPFL has formally placed an identification and prosecution requirement on the club.
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