NPFL: Sporting Lagos Coach Buter fined N.5m over referee comments after Ikorodu City Derby

Sporting Lagos head coach Jeffrey Buter has been fined N500,000 and cautioned by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following an inquest into comments he made about refereeing after the Lagos derby against Ikorodu City.

The league imposed the sanction after Buter appeared before a disciplinary panel on Wednesday to explain his comments following Sporting Lagos’ goalless draw with Ikorodu City on 30 September.

The coach admitted before the panel that he was wrong to have made the statements during his post-match press interview, a concession which played a significant role in the relatively lenient punishment handed down by the NPFL.

Buter’s appearance before the panel followed a summons issued by the league after his comments attracted attention following the derby.

After Sporting Lagos were held to a 0-0 draw by Ikorodu City, Buter had questioned the standard of officiating and made comments suggesting that refereeing decisions were becoming an issue in the league.

The NPFL subsequently summoned the Sporting Lagos coach to explain his remarks, with the league warning against public statements capable of bringing the competition and its match officials into disrepute.

Buter admits error before panel

Following Wednesday’s inquest, the NPFL confirmed that Buter admitted he was in error during the press interview.

The league said his acknowledgement of wrongdoing, coupled with his relatively limited experience as a coach in the NPFL for the 2026/27 season, influenced the decision to impose a N500,000 fine rather than a more severe punishment.

In addition to the financial sanction, Buter was cautioned to refrain from making unsubstantiated public statements concerning the NPFL and its referees.

The league has given the Sporting Lagos coach seven working days to pay the fine, and failure to comply within the stipulated period could result in more stringent sanctions.

NPFL warns clubs and coaches over public comments

The latest decision also provided the NPFL with an opportunity to send a wider warning to coaches and club officials across the league.

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The league urged participants to exercise greater restraint when speaking publicly about the competition, particularly when making claims or allegations that have not been formally substantiated.

According to the NPFL, reckless public statements have the potential to undermine the perception of the league in the eyes of supporters and the wider football public.

Rather than using post-match interviews or other public platforms to air grievances, coaches and club officials have been advised to make use of the league’s established dispute resolution mechanisms.

The NPFL stressed that official channels remain available to clubs and their representatives who wish to challenge decisions, raise complaints or seek redress over issues arising from matches.

For Buter, the N500,000 fine brings an end to the disciplinary proceedings arising from his comments, but the warning from the league is clear.

The Sporting Lagos coach has now been placed on notice to ensure that future criticism of the NPFL or its match officials is backed by evidence and channelled through the appropriate mechanisms rather than made through public statements.