The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has suspended 14 referees for poor officiating in the ongoing 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
This was made known in a letter issued by the Referees Development Committee/Unit of the NFF on Monday, November 6 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 is 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)
“Furthermore, 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.
