NFF Reads Riot Act To Match Officials

The Nigeria Football Federation has sent
out a strong warning to all officials who
would be
assigned for matches of the 2017 AITEO
Cup competition starting on Wednesday to
perform creditably or have their names
permanently struck
off the list of arbiters in the country.



Speaking after his committee’s meeting in
Abuja, Chairman of the NFF Referees
Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh
told thenff.com that any referee found
wanting would not only be thrown out of
the vocation but
could also face prosecution.




“The NFF Referees Committee has decided
to go tough on erring referees. For several
years, we worked very hard to try and get
sponsors for the oldest football
competition in this country, but could not
for one reason or the other. Now that
we have one in AITEO, we will do
everything humanly possible to guard that
relationship jealously.



“Any referee found to be involved in any
shenanigan, or deemed to be outright
incompetent or mischievous, will be
summarily
dealt with.



We are tired of complaints
about referees. We are ready to throw out
as many as are found culpable, and will be
ready to have only few competent and self
–respecting persons take charge of
matches,” Fresh stated on Monday.



The NFF Executive Committee member also
informed thenff.com that only Nigeria’s
FIFA – badged (international) and elite
referees would be
handed shifts in the AITEO Cup
competition beginning from Wednesday.



“Only the FIFA referees and elite referees
would be involved. No National League or
Nationwide
League officials.



We want the best arbiters
available to take care of the matches and
give
credibility to the competition.



“The glamour of this much –loved
competition must return in full force and
in even greater
glory.”