Julius OkorieThe Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has suspended referee Bashir Saidu, from all NPFL matches, with immediate effect.
A letter dated June 13th, addressed to Saidu, through the Sokoto State Football Association and signed by Muhammed Ameenu, for Chairman NFF Referees Committee, accused Saidu of failing to identify and award a clear penalty in the encounter between Shooting Stars and Rangers International, at the Adamasingba Stadium, on Wednesday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe action, according to the letter, affected the outcome of the match.
“Your action adversely affects the outcome of the match and thus, I am directed to notify you that you have been stepped down indefinitely, and with immediate effect, from all NPFL matches”, the letter confirmed.
It will be recalled that Shooting Stars clinched a lone goal victory over table toppers, Rangers International, in one of the mid-week matches played yesterday. However, shortly after the match, trending video emerged of a goal bound Rangers players, that was cut down within the box, in what should have resulted to a penalty.
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The Nigeria Football Federation and the Nigeria Premier Football League, appear to be beaming extra light on match officiating in recent times, through its Referees Committee.
The move is not unconnected with recurring complaints about poor officiating and the need to improve the image of the game and the quality of the Nigerian referee.
Nigerian Referees have often been overlooked in selection for international competitions; an embarrassing situation, which most stakeholders say must be arrested at all cost.
This Sunday, Rangers will host Bendel Insurance, while Shooting Stars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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