Thirty Nigerian referees were awarded their FIFA badges on Monday, with Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON, stressing the critical importance of integrity in their officiating duties. His remarks come as an increasing number of Nigerian league matches are broadcast live on television.
“Our league matches are now being televised,” Gusau stated. “For instance, the game between Shooting Stars and Warri Wolves was broadcast live on approximately eleven television stations. We aim to increase this coverage to thirty stations by the end of the season, ensuring your officiating will be visible worldwide.”
Gusau emphasised that there would be “no hiding place” for misconduct, instructing the committee to withdraw badges from any referee found to be performing poorly. He warned, “Your matches will be televised live, and any referee who conducts himself improperly will have his or her badge revoked without exception. We must take this very seriously.”
The NFF President further cautioned that any complaints regarding a referee’s conduct in future matches must be submitted immediately post-game, along with their badges and uniforms. Disciplinary action, he added, would be final. “If you misbehave, you should voluntarily relinquish your uniform, as you will no longer be part of this refereeing community. This is the decision we have made, and we will enforce it strictly.”
Highlighting the league’s economic prospects, Gusau noted that consistent poor officiating could deter sponsors. “Our goal is to continually enhance the league’s welfare. However, poor officiating is capable of scaring away prospective sponsors.” He mentioned a new television deal set to improve the league’s national visibility through live broadcasts, contingent on states having the necessary broadcasting capabilities.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, MON, expressed confidence in the referees’ potential for improvement, drawing on his extensive experience as a CAF and FIFA match commissioner. He urged them to always strive for their best, adding, “As a CAF and FIFA match commissioner with a history in football since 1980, I can distinguish between deliberate mistakes and unintentional errors.”
The 30 recipients included four futsal referees, four beach soccer referees, eleven assistant referees, and eleven main referees. Also in attendance were NFF Executive Board Member, Alhaji Babagana Kalli; NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; and other football association chairmen and officials.
