NFF suspends 14 NPFL referees

The Referees’ Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has imposed preliminary suspension on 14 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) referees due to poor officiating.

The suspension is contained in a letter sent on Monday in Abuja to Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the NPFL, by Faith Irabor, the Head of the NFF’s Referees’ Development Committee/Unit.

According to the letter, the affected referees were placed on preliminary suspension following their perceived poor performances in seven NPFL matches.

“Sequel to the perceived poor performances of Referees/Assistant Referees in the under-listed NPFL Matches, we are obliged to step down the specifically affected match officials in the line of decision in such instant cases.

“This is pending when the appropriate technical evaluation of such decisions are determined to be either right or wrong,” it said.

The affected matches and officials included Niger Tornadoes vs Rivers United (Matchday 2), Referee Bawa Buhari (GM), Niger Tornadoes vs Bayelsa United (Matchday 4), Referee Chukwuka Jahlove (AN) and Assistant Referee Akinwale Tomiwa (0Y).

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Sporting Lagos vs Niger Tornadoes (Matchday 5), Assistant Referee II, Zachariah Nde (DT), Gombe United vs Plateau United (Matchday 5), Referee Saeed Abdulaziz (KT) and Assistant Referee Jimmy Aimugbonrie (ED).

Kwara United vs Sporting Lagos (Matchday 6), Referee Brown Ebenezer (AB) and Assistant Referee Atuwho Morrisson (DT), Sunshine Stars vs Abia Warriors (Matchday 6) All 4 Officials).

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

“Furthermore, the committee will very much appreciate if the full videos of these matches are provided to the committee for proper evaluation of decisions and performances of these officials,” it added.