NPFL: NFF suspends 14 referees over poor officiating

The Refereeing Development Unit of the Nigeria Football Federation, has announced the suspension of 14 Nigeria Premier Football League referees from their officiating roles due to concerns about poor officiating in various matches, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.

The decision comes after a series of perceived subpar performances by Referees and Assistant Referees.

The affected matches and officials include:

1. Niger Tornadoes vs Rivers United (Matchday 2) – Referee Bawa Buhari (GM)
2. Niger Tornadoes vs Bayelsa United (Matchday 4) – Referee Chukwuka Jahlove (AN) and Asst. Referee Akinwale Tomiwa (OY)
3. Sporting Lagos vs Niger Tornadoes (Matchday 5) – Assistant Referee II: Zachariah Nde (DT)
4. Gombe United vs Plateau United (Matchday 5) – Referee Saeed Abdulaziz (KT) and Assist. Referee Jimmy Aimugbonrie (ED)
5. Kwara United vs Sporting Lagos (Matchday 6) – Referee Brown Ebenezer (AB) and Assist. Referee Atuwho Morrisson (DT)
6. Sunshine Stars vs Abia Warriors (Matchday 6) – All four officials
7. Bendel Insurance vs Remo Stars (Matchday 7) – Referee Imamu Maliki U. (KN) and Assist. Referee Sunday Azi (PL)

The Referee Development Unit has expressed the need for a technical evaluation of the decisions made during these matches to determine whether they were correct or incorrect. They have also requested the full video footage of these matches to aid in their thorough assessment of the officials’ performances.

The affected match officials will be replaced temporarily until their performances are thoroughly reviewed and assessed.