Ex-international, Edema Fuludu has sent charge to League Management Company (LMC) to ensure referees receive better safety and protection at match venues this season, sports247.ng reports.
Speaking against the backdriop of last weekend’s start to action in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NFPL), Fuludu, who played for top clubs like Julius Berger FC of Lagos and Bendel Insurance of Benin City, said the issue of poor officiating has to be revisited.
Fuludu is of a view that most poor decisions by referees are caused by intimidation from partisan fans, but also charged the arbiters to also sit up and ensure they make better calls during matches.
He then urged the LMC to improve on officiating in the NPFL, with better security conditions, considering that clubs are stepping up in standard.
Fuludu reasoned: “Our league keeps getting better by the day, but the truth is that we need to do more regarding officiating.
“Our referees need to feel protected, we can’t leave them hanging when fans are acting irrationally.
“We need them to do their jobs without fear or favour. In some cases, these referees are beaten up and nothing happens at the end.’’
