NPFL Must Step Down Incompetent Referees To Restore Credibility And Order
3 min read
By Sportsgister
Once again, Nigerian football finds itself in the headlines for the wrong reasons — not because of the quality of play on the pitch, but because of chaos, poor officiating, and violence.
The ugly incident that marred Sunday’s NPFL clash between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium must serve as a wake-up call for the league’s administrators.
While the violent conduct of some Kano Pillars fans deserves unequivocal condemnation and appropriate sanctions, the role of incompetent officiating in igniting the tension cannot be ignored.
Football thrives on fair play, discipline, and trust in officiating. When referees fail to uphold these principles, they undermine the integrity of the game. Center referee Mohammed Tuta (Adamawa State Council) and Assistant Referee 1, Bem Japheth (Benue State Council) failed woefully in their duties on Sunday, and the consequences were catastrophic.
Their series of questionable decisions not only altered the flow of the match but also provoked frustration that boiled over into violence.
Let’s be clear: bad officiating does not justify hooliganism. The actions of Kano Pillars fans who invaded the pitch and attacked the away team and match officials are disgraceful and must attract stiff sanctions from the NPFL and NFF.
However, it is equally unacceptable to overlook the gross incompetence of the referees whose blunders helped create the conditions for that chaos.
Throughout the match, crucial decisions were either ignored or poorly judged:
1. Pillars’ goal was controversially ruled offside — was it truly an offside call or a hasty misjudgment?
2. A clear challenge on Chiedozie Okorie inside the box went unpunished.
3. A suspected handball by a Shooting Stars defender and the goalkeeper’s reckless clearance went unchecked.
4. A defender’s dangerous “karate-style” tackle somehow escaped a red card.
In each of these instances, the center referee and AR1 appeared indecisive, inconsistent, and overwhelmed. This level of incompetence is unacceptable in a professional league seeking credibility.
The NPFL must therefore step down both officials immediately and subject them to a thorough review by the Referees Committee. Accountability must not stop with players and clubs; referees too must be held responsible when their poor judgment threatens the safety of players and the integrity of the competition.
For years, Nigerian football has suffered from a crisis of trust in officiating. Fans and clubs alike often feel that results are determined by errors or bias rather than merit. If the league genuinely wants to build a reputation for fairness and professionalism, it must set a strong precedent — incompetent referees should face the same zero tolerance as violent fans.
The events in Kano were avoidable. Last season, Shooting Stars defeated Kano Pillars at the same venue, and there was no violence because the officiating was fair and credible. What changed this time? Poor officiating lit the spark.
The NPFL must act decisively: sanction Kano Pillars for their fans’ misconduct, and step down the referees whose errors provoked tension. Only then can Nigerian football begin to restore faith in its match officials and ensure that the headlines return to where they belong — on the football itself.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
