The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON, has called on Nigerian referees to uphold the highest standards of integrity following the decoration of 30 officials with FIFA badges in Abuja on Monday.
Addressing the newly accredited referees, Gusau stressed that transparency and accountability must define their officiating, particularly as domestic league matches are now enjoying expanded live television coverage.
Our league matches are now being televised widely. For example, the fixture between Shooting Stars and Warri Wolves was broadcast live on about eleven television stations. By the end of the season, we aim to extend this to thirty stations. This means your performances will be visible not just nationally, but globally, he stated.
The NFF President made it clear that there would be zero tolerance for misconduct. He directed the Referees Committee to withdraw badges from any official found wanting in the discharge of their duties.
There is no hiding place anymore. With live television coverage, every decision will be scrutinised. Any referee who conducts himself or herself improperly will have their badge withdrawn without exception. We must treat this with utmost seriousness, Gusau warned.
He further emphasised that any complaints regarding a referee’s conduct must be addressed immediately after matches, with the affected official expected to submit their badge and uniform pending disciplinary review. According to him, such decisions would be final.
Do not expect anyone to intervene on your behalf. If you compromise the integrity of the game, you should be prepared to step aside. This is a firm decision, and we will enforce it strictly, he added.
Gusau also linked the quality of officiating to the commercial growth of the Nigeria Premier Football League, noting that persistent poor officiating could discourage potential sponsors.
Our objective is to continually improve the welfare and commercial value of the league. However, substandard officiating can scare away sponsors. We have secured a television partnership to boost the league’s visibility across the country, provided states have the infrastructure to air the matches live, he explained.
In his remarks, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, MON, expressed confidence in the competence of Nigerian referees. Drawing from his experience as a CAF and FIFA Match Commissioner, Sanusi urged the officials to give their best in every assignment.
There have been concerns about our referees not featuring prominently in international competitions. I want to affirm that our referees are capable. Having been involved in football administration since 1980, I can differentiate between deliberate errors and genuine mistakes. I encourage you to remain committed and professional, he said.
Of the 30 referees decorated, four are futsal referees, four are beach soccer referees, eleven are assistant referees, and eleven are centre referees.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included Alhaji Babagana Kalli, Member of the NFF Executive Board; NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; Benue State FA Chairman, Barr. Paul Edeh; Kogi State FA Chairman, Mr Hassan Wada; and Acting Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Rabiu Gusau.
