Three Points, N1M Fine: Kebbi United Penalised For Fielding Ineligible Player

Three Points, N1M Fine: Kebbi United Penalised For Fielding Ineligible Player

By Niyi Busari 

The Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has upheld sanctions against Kebbi United FC following a protest concerning the use of an ineligible player in a Nigeria National League (NNL) fixture, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The decision was reached at the Committee’s meeting held on March 30, 2026, after a review of a protest lodged by Kebbi United challenging an earlier ruling by the Nigeria National League (NNL).

Key Findings

After examining submissions and evidence, the Committee established that Kebbi United fielded a player, Dawud Ibrahim, who did not possess a valid license at the time of the match.

Testimonies from the NNL Chief Operating Officer, Danlami Alanana, and the league’s Registration Desk Officer confirmed that the player’s registration process was still pending on match day. The Committee further noted that no authorization—verbal or otherwise—was granted to Kebbi United or match officials to allow the player’s participation.

Additional discrepancies were identified in the match documentation. Kebbi United listed the player as Dawud Ibrahim with jersey number three in the match report, whereas he featured wearing jersey number 36 during the game. The Committee also observed that the club failed to include license numbers for all listed players on the match report form, an omission it interpreted as a deliberate attempt to circumvent regulations.

Based on these findings, the Committee ruled that Kebbi United breached Article 11.13 of the NNL Rules and Regulations by fielding an ineligible player in their match against Yobe Desert Stars FC.

Decisions

The Committee consequently dismissed Kebbi United’s protest and upheld the earlier decision of the NNL Disciplinary Committee.

As part of the sanctions, Kebbi United has been fined ₦1,000,000 for violating Article 11.11 of the league’s regulations. In addition, the club will forfeit three points and three goals to Yobe Desert Stars.

The Committee noted that the ruling does not preclude Kebbi United from exercising its right to appeal.

Committee Composition

The meeting was chaired by Barr. JBC Obikwelu, alongside Vice Chairman Barr. Abdulrahman I. Abdulrahman, and members Barr. Wole Ademoyegun and Barr. Bello Galadi. Queen W. Otarakpo, Esq., served as Secretary.