Katsina United Football Club has debunked reports alleging violence and the death of a player during its Nigeria Premier Football League fixture against Barau FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.
In a statement released on Sunday by the club’s Media Director, Nasir Gide, Katsina United described the online report as false, misleading, and an attempt to tarnish the image of both the club and football in Katsina State.
According to Gide, the publication falsely claimed that fans invaded the pitch, disrupted the match, and that a player was killed during the game.
“These claims are entirely baseless and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the club’s image and football in the state. At no point during the game did any supporter gain access to the main pitch,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the match was intense due to some disputed officiating decisions, Gide insisted that security operatives maintained full control throughout the encounter.
“These assertions are completely false and do not reflect what truly transpired. The game was managed within the confines of order and security,” he added.
He expressed disappointment that a “respected platform” could publish such grave allegations without verification, warning that the spread of misinformation could damage the club’s reputation and hinder football development in Katsina and across Nigeria.
Gide further alleged that Barau FC had helped amplify the false reports, disclosing that the League Management Company (LMC) had been notified to investigate the matter and take necessary disciplinary action.
“Katsina United Football Club remains committed to professionalism, discipline, and fair play both on and off the pitch,” he affirmed.
The club has demanded a retraction and public apology from the media outlet responsible for the publication, warning that failure to comply could result in legal proceedings.
“We advise the publishers of this misleading report to retract the story immediately; otherwise, we’ll be left with no choice but to seek redress through appropriate legal channels,” the statement concluded.
