The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Engr Ibrahim Gusau has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian referees against bringing football into disrepute.
He made this known on Thursday during the inauguration of the Referees and Match Commissioners’ Committees inside the NFF Secretariat, Abuja.
According to him, Gusau said it was no longer be business as usual for match commissioners and referees in the domestic game, as persons who fail to meet the high standards already put in place will be summarily ejected and sanctioned appropriately.
“We have been diligent and statute-compliant in the selection of the membership of both the Referees Committee and the Match Commissioners’ Committees, and therefore, we expect them to do their job with the highest level of integrity, passion, commitment and sense of duty.
“The onus is on the committees as we will keenly monitor the performances of your appointees and be dispassionate in our assessment. Anyone found wanting will be thrown out without ceremony, and be visited with further sanctions. The NFF is determined to change the narrative in the league and there is no going back. Please help us to have a new league that all stakeholders will be proud of,” Gusau said.
On her part, Mrs Faith Irabor, who chairs the Referees Committee, said that the narrative will definitely change from the umpires’ side as Nigeria football moves to implement the highest standards of probity in match officiating.
