NPFL Provisionally Suspends 14 Referees Over Biased Officiating

By Sedara Philip

In a bid to get rid of bad eggs among Nigerian referees,the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has provisionally Suspended fourteen (14) referees over biased and poor officiating in the ongoing 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The affected officials were involved in acts that could bring the game to disrepute from Matchday two to seven

This was made known in a letter issued by the Referees Development Committee/Unit of the NFF on Monday, November 6th to the Management of the NPFL, informing the league body about the suspension.

“We’re obliged to step down the specifically affected match officials in the line of decision in such instant cases until when the appropriate technical evaluation of such decisions are determined to be either right or wrong.” The letter read.

The affected matches and officials include:

i. Niger Tornadoes vs Rivers United (Matchday 2) – Referee Bawa Buhari (GM)

ii. Niger Tornadoes vs Bayelsa United (Matchday 4) – Referee Chukwuka Jahlove (AN) and Assistant Referee Akinwale Tomiwa (OY)

iii. Sporting Lagos vs Niger Tornadoes (Matchday 5) – AR II: Zachariah Nde (DT)

iv. Gombe United vs Plateau United (Matchday 5) – Referee Saeed Abdulaziz (KT) and Assistant Referee Jimmy Aimugbonrie (ED)

v. Kwara United vs Sporting Lagos (Matchday 6) – Referee Brown Ebenezer (AB) and Assistant Referee Atuwho Morrison (DT)

vi. Sunshine Stars vs Abia Warriors (Matchday 6) – All four officials

vii. Bendel Insurance vs Remo Stars (Matchday 7) – Referee Imamu Maliki U. (KN) and Assistant Referee Sunday Azi (PL)

“Further more, the committee would very much appreciate if the full video of these matches are provided to the committee for proper evaluation of decisions and performances of these officials.” Concluded the letter.