The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that clubs failing to honour matches during the national preliminary stage of the 2026 President Federation Cup will face a fine of ₦1 million.
The directive was disclosed on Monday by the NFF Director of Competitions, Ruth David, who confirmed that the state preliminary rounds of Nigeria’s oldest football competition will take place between March 22 and April 26.
According to the federation, the state-level qualifiers will commence on Sunday, March 22. Any club that fails to appear for a scheduled match after completing registration at the state level will be fined ₦500,000.
State Football Associations, including that of the Federal Capital Territory, are required to conclude their finals on Saturday, April 25 or Sunday, April 26, after which each state will submit two representatives for the national competition.
### NFF Disciplinary Committee rulings
Meanwhile, the NFF Disciplinary Committee has issued several rulings following protests related to matches in the Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
#### Gombe United vs Jigawa Golden Stars
Following a protest by Gombe United F.C. over a league match against Jigawa Golden Stars F.C. played on December 21, 2025 at the Pantami Stadium, the committee found that home supporters invaded the pitch after the referee initially awarded a goal kick before changing the decision to a penalty.
The panel ruled that the pitch encroachment breached league rules and imposed a ₦1 million fine on Gombe United.
The centre referee, Terwase Chia, was suspended for the remainder of the season for professional misconduct after submitting two conflicting match reports.
The committee also fined Jigawa Golden Stars ₦500,000 for refusing to continue the match in protest of the penalty decision. The match result was declared conclusive with the scoreline standing at 0–0.
#### Wikki Tourists vs Katsina United
In another ruling involving Wikki Tourists F.C. and Katsina United F.C. following their February 8, 2026 match at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, the committee upheld several sanctions against the Bauchi-based club.
Wikki Tourists were fined ₦2 million for failing to provide adequate security after unauthorized persons gained access to restricted areas. An additional ₦1 million fine was imposed for supporters throwing dangerous objects onto the pitch, while another ₦1 million penalty was upheld for unsporting conduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute.
The committee also reduced an earlier decision ordering the club to play the remainder of its home fixtures in Jos, ruling instead that Wikki Tourists will serve a five-match stadium ban.
#### Kwara United vs Rivers United
The disciplinary panel also ruled on a protest involving Kwara United F.C. and Rivers United F.C. following their February 18, 2026 encounter at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl Stadium.
The committee found Kwara United guilty of failing to provide adequate security and failing to control supporters, leading to harassment and injuries to match officials and members of the visiting team.
As a result, Kwara United were fined ₦2 million for inadequate security, ₦1 million for failure to control supporters, and an additional ₦2 million as compensation for treatment and damages suffered by match officials and Rivers United personnel.
The Ilorin-based club was also handed a deduction of three points and three goals from its league tally for assault on match officials, in accordance with NPFL rules.
Additionally, an earlier directive relocating the club to the MKO Abiola Stadium for the rest of the season was reduced to a five-match stadium ban.
The disciplinary committee noted that all decisions remain subject to the right of appeal.
