Edo State deputy governor, Honourable Philip Shaibu has warned that Bendel Insurance of Benin City could withdraw from Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), if they continue to be plagued by what he called poor refereeing at their matches, sports247.ng reports.
Speaking against the backdrop of the Edo State-owned club’s 1-1 draw at home with Rivers United on Wednesday, Shaibu alleged that the match referee ruled out what he believes was a good goal by his side, adding that it was the third time such was happening to the club.
Shaibu raised dust over what he called repeated faulty decisions by refs against his team, in which he is also a registered player in the squad, as he stated Thursday during Sports Express on Classic FM, Lagos that Bendel Insurance might be forced to rethink their position in the NPFL.
He went on to charge League Management Company (LMC) to take a closer look at the situation, in which he alleged that his side suffered a fishy goal against them by Sunshine Stars of Akure and had a clean one versus Kwara United of Ilorin ruled out, only for them to be denied the benefit again during Wednesday’s home fixture.
Mike Ugwu scored first for Insurance in the 13th minute, but Ossy Martins equalised for the Garden City side four minutes after the break, leaving the Benin Arsenal with eight points from eight matches.
They are eighth in the 12-team Group A log, with a return to the lower league starring them in the eye, as only three matches are left before the half-way mark of the abridged NPFL season, and Shaibu is crying foul.
Shaibu expatiated: “When Kwara United came here we scored a clean goal but the referee disallowed it on the ground it was an offside goal.
“Just last weekend, the same scenario occurred against us in Akure when we played Sunshine Stars but the goal was allowed to stand.
“Today, again, we have scored another beautiful goal and it has been ruled offside.
“I think we are going to discontinue with the league than continue to allow this type of officiating to mar our games.
“We got a clean goal against Kwara. When the video was reviewed it was adjudged a clean goal but we were not awarded the points.
“If the LMC refuse to probe the Kwara United match, the Sunshine Stars match and this one against Rivers United, we will discontinue playing in the league.”
