Kwara United has dissociated itself from the crowd disturbance that trailed its Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Gameweek 22 fixture against Rivers United in Ilorin, describing the incident as deeply troubling.

The rescheduled encounter, played at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl of the George Agbazika Innih Stadium, ended in a 1–1 draw. However, the result was overshadowed by chaos that reportedly erupted shortly after the referee signalled full time.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the club expressed serious concern over the unrest, particularly reports that Chief Okey Kpalukwu, Chairman of Chairmen in the Nigeria Premier Football League, was targeted during the disturbance.

The management said it viewed the development with "serious concern and regret," stressing that the actions of those involved were inconsistent with the club's values.

"We are deeply disturbed by the events that occurred after the match and unequivocally denounce every act of violence recorded," the statement read.

Kwara United reaffirmed that discipline, fairness, and respect for officials and opponents remain core principles guiding its operations.

"Respect for match officials, administrators, visiting teams, and fellow supporters is non-negotiable. Football must be played and enjoyed in the spirit of sportsmanship," the club stated.

While acknowledging the passion of its supporters, the management insisted that the conduct of a few individuals should not define its broader fan base, which it described as largely peaceful and law-abiding.

"The behaviour exhibited by certain persons does not reflect the identity or values of our loyal supporters," it added.

The club extended apologies to Chief Kpalukwu, the Rivers United delegation, match officials, security personnel, and spectators affected by the incident.

"We sincerely apologise to all parties impacted by the incident and regret the discomfort and harm it may have caused," the statement noted.

Kwara United also pledged full cooperation with security agencies and league authorities to ensure that those responsible are identified and sanctioned in line with existing regulations.

It further appealed for calm among supporters, announcing plans to strengthen fan education and engagement programmes aimed at promoting responsible conduct at match venues.

Reaffirming its commitment to fair play, the club emphasised its dedication to protecting the integrity of the NPFL and maintaining Ilorin as a safe host city for topflight football.

Crowd violence has remained a recurring concern in the domestic league. Earlier this season, supporters of Kano Pillars reportedly attacked players and officials of Shooting Stars following a tense fixture at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, prompting sanctions by the league body as part of efforts to curb hooliganism nationwide.