The Nigeria Referees Association, NRA has expressed readiness to stop handling the NPFL if attack on referees persist.
President of the association, Otunba Tade Azeez who informed referees that the NRA is turbo charged to protect the interest of all NPFL match officials, stated that the next stage is to back out of the officiating.
According to Otunba Tade Azeez, the NRA has no intention to either disrupt the process of the league or frustrate the football system but can’t fold its hands and watch miscreants executing the desire of clubs by turning referees to objects of attacks when scores are not in their favour.
He revealed that discussions have started with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation on the insecurity at the match venues and attacks of referees while the NRA General Assembly will meet to come out with official position on the planned boycott of the league with a view to having an interface with the Football Committee of the NFF on the matter.
Otunba Tade asked the referees not to allow the two incidents in Jos and Sagamu to affect their mental psyche in terms of free and fair officiating as well as distract the desire of the NRA to make this season one of the best in terms of responsible refereeing.
He further reminded referees for Week five matches to report and make available identity of any club official involved in acts not in conformity with the ethics of the NFF and rules of the game before, during and after the matches. He enjoined match officials to report to appropriate quarters situations at the stadium that can’t allow them discharge their duties effectively in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
He also advised the clubs to play by the rules adding that stiffer sanctions await any referee found wanting in any misconduct designed to bring the game to disrepute.
