Fan Violence in Nigerian Football: Plateau United Player Stabbed After Match
Following Plateau United’s defeat against Nasarawa United in a Nigerian Premier Football League match-day 33 encounter in Lafia on Sunday, a shocking incident of fan violence occurred. A football fan stabbed Plateau United striker Vincent Temitope in the neck, raising concerns about the safety of players in Nigerian football.
The match between Nasarawa United and Plateau United was closely contested, with Nasarawa United emerging victorious with a 3-2 win against their North Central rivals. Despite the intense game, the focus shifted to the distressing incident that unfolded after the final whistle.
Vincent Temitope, who missed a penalty but managed to score a goal during the game, was seen in a video receiving treatment for a neck injury caused by the fan’s attack. Plateau United’s Director of Media Operations, Yaksat Maklek, confirmed the incident and attributed it to the fan’s reaction to Temitope’s performance on the field.
Concerned for the player’s well-being, Temitope was immediately rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lafia for urgent medical attention. The gravity of the situation shed light on the risks players face both on and off the field due to fan aggression.
Vincent Temitope, a valuable player for Plateau United, has been with the team since last year and was recently included in the Super Eagles B training squad for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN). The incident has sparked national outrage and once again brought attention to the issue of fan violence in Nigerian football, particularly at NPFL venues.
In response to the attack, the Nigeria Police Force swiftly arrested a Nasarawa United fan believed to be responsible for stabbing the Plateau United player. While the suspect’s identity remains undisclosed, authorities have taken him into custody for his involvement in the shocking post-match incident that has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community.
