FCT FA Chair, Mohammed, demands fair officiating, protection for referees

The Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Football Association, Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed, has decried the incessant attacks on Nigerian football referees and called on the arbiters to also desist from dubious officiating. In recent days, the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nationwide League One (NLO) have witnessed dangerous attacks on referees […]

The Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Football Association, Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed, has decried the incessant attacks on Nigerian football referees and called on the arbiters to also desist from dubious officiating.

In recent days, the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nationwide League One (NLO) have witnessed dangerous attacks on referees by aggrieved players, club officials and irate fans who felt dissatisfied with the performances of some of the referees.

For instance, the referee who recently handled the NLO match between Green Beret and Standard FC of was viciously attacked by players and some officials of Beret just as the centre referee in the match between Sky Limit FC and Dromeda suffered the same fate in the hands of coaches and players of Sky Limit.

A similar incident happened at the end of the NNL match between Barau FC and Jigawa Golden Stars, which the former won by a goal to nil.

• NNPCL: CNPP, CNCSOs warn security agencies against shielding Mele Kyari, others
• Crisis in N/West Devt Commission over scholarship scheme

While the organisers of the respective leagues are making efforts to contain the unsporting behaviours  at match venues, the FCT FA Chairman, Mohammed, has condemned the development and called on those perpetrating the heinous acts to desist from such barbarism.

“Each time I witness such acts of hooliganism, I feel drained emotionally and psychologically because such behaviours portray nothing other than evil.

“I wonder why anyone who calls himself a fan would attempt to end someone else’s life in the name of football – a sport that embodies peace, unity, and friendship.

“To stem this ugly trend, authorities should continue to take drastic actions against the perpetrators of such criminal and evil acts. Anyone found guilty should be dealt with severely to serve as a deterrent to others.

In the same vein, the chairman advised the referees to repent from their bad ways in order to save themselves and the image of the game, which they tarnish with every atrocious call.

“At the same time, referees who are in the habit of making fraudulent calls to favour other teams should know that they are aiding and abetting the death of the beautiful sport.

“Any violence that they instigate with questionable calls impacts negatively on the image of Nigerian football. It discourages investors from coming to invest their money in Nigerian football,” he said.

Mohammed, therefore, advised both the referees and irate fans who are bent on tarnishing the image of Nigerian football to desist from such despicable behaviours.