Home Nigeria Football League NFF Suspends Two Officials For Misconduct In NWFL Championship

NFF Suspends Two Officials For Misconduct In NWFL Championship

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has taken decisive action against two match officials in the ongoing Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship, currently being held in Calabar, Cross River State.

On Monday, the NFF confirmed the immediate suspension of Referee Amamong Idongesit Anthony from Akwa Ibom and Assistant Referee Blessing Nwika from Rivers State.

This suspension follows their controversial officiating during Match Number 9 of the tournament, which took place on Sunday, September 1, 2024, between Imo Striker Queens and Pelican Stars at the UJ Esuene Stadium.

The NFF deemed the actions of both officials during the match as highly questionable, stating that their performance “brought disrepute to the integrity of refereeing, the Nigeria Women Football League, the championship, and the sport.”

In addition to their suspension from the NWFL Championship, both Anthony and Nwika have been barred from all refereeing activities until further notice.

The NWFL Championship coordinator has also ordered them to vacate the refereeing camp with immediate effect.

The NFF’s swift response underscores its commitment to upholding the highest standards of fairness and integrity in Nigerian football.

The Federation reiterated that it will not hesitate to take necessary actions against any form of misconduct by match officials, emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy towards any behavior that undermines the credibility of its competitions.

Speaking on the matter, an NFF representative stated, “We are committed to maintaining the integrity of our leagues and ensuring that all matches are officiated fairly. Any action that compromises this standard will be met with firm disciplinary measures.”

This development sends a clear message to match officials across all levels of Nigerian football that the Federation is dedicated to preserving the sport’s integrity, with no tolerance for misconduct.