Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-03-26 03:38:10
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Development Unit has taken the decision to step down referee Abdulmalik Abdulmalik from officiating in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) following accusations of making incorrect calls during a match between Katsina United and Abia Warriors on March 24, 2024. Abdulmalik, who hails from the Bauchi Referees’ Council, has been accused of actions that have reflected poorly on the league.
In a letter signed by the chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Mohammed Ameenu, and addressed to the referee, it was stated that Abdulmalik’s decisions had a negative impact on the outcome of the game and brought the league into disrepute. As a result, he has been asked to step down from officiating in the league with immediate effect until further notice.
Abdulmalik is just the latest referee to face consequences from the NFF as part of their efforts to clean up the NPFL. Earlier in the season, 14 other referees were also removed from officiating duties for actions that were deemed to be detrimental to the overall good of the league. These referees included Bawa Buhari, Chukwuka Jahlove, Akinwale Tomiwa, Saeed Abdulaziz, Jimmy Aimugbonrie, Brown Ebenezer, Atuwho Morrison, Imamu Maliki, and Sunday Azi.
Just two weeks prior to Abdulmalik’s removal, Mohammed Gata was also suspended by the federation for making poor calls during a match between Katsina United and Heartland. The game ended in a 1-1 draw at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
The actions taken by the NFF against these referees are part of ongoing efforts to improve the quality and integrity of officiating in the NPFL. By holding referees accountable for their decisions and ensuring that the standards of refereeing are upheld, the NFF aims to create a fair and competitive environment for all teams participating in the league.
It is important for referees to be held to a high standard of professionalism and integrity in order to maintain the credibility and integrity of football competitions. The NFF’s actions against referees who are found to have made incorrect calls or acted inappropriately send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated in the NPFL.
Moving forward, the NFF will continue to monitor the performance of referees in the NPFL and take appropriate action when necessary to uphold the values of fairness and sportsmanship in Nigerian football. By enforcing strict standards for officiating, the NFF aims to enhance the overall quality of the league and ensure that matches are decided based on the merits of the teams involved rather than the actions of the referees.
