Nigerian referees under my watch will be independent, well paid — Amadu

A former General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barr Musa Amadu has said Nigerian referees will be independent and well remunerated if elected the next president of the federation. In a chat, the NFF presidential aspirant said the referees are used by club officials to change decisions during games and are the biggest […]

A former General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barr Musa Amadu has said Nigerian referees will be independent and well remunerated if elected the next president of the federation.

In a chat, the NFF presidential aspirant said the referees are used by club officials to change decisions during games and are the biggest problem in the growth of football in Nigeria.

“The referees are the biggest problem we have, the referees are, unfortunately persuaded by so many people in the league to change decisions that are not sportsmanly and defendable and also affect the fortunes of teams.

“For example, in the EPL, they have a professional body that manages the refereeing in the EPL, we may not be able to replicate that in Nigeria but we can have a semi-professional body, the body will have elite referees who will be remunerated.

“In the league now, referees earn about N35, 000. They go by road, they stay in uncomfortable places sometimes hosted by the home teams but that must change.

“They will have nothing to do with the home teams. It will be a limited liability company that will produce elite referees and they would be well remunerated and accommodated. They would be given security before and after the match.

The referees would be able to earn almost N400,000. For now in a month referees do not get more than N80, 000 despite the risk taken. This is why some referees are put under pressure to change the outcome of matches that affect the fortunes of clubs who have put so much money into ensuring that they win a match on a level playing field.