Following series of allegations bothering on some questionable refereeing decisions, in games played on matchday 2 of the 2022/2023 Nigeria National League, the league body wants the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation’s Referees Appointment Committee, to thoroughly investigate the conduct of three referees who officiated in three of its matches in Owerri, Maiduguri and Abuja.
This is with a bid to engendering fair officiating and to stem possible bad run of bias officiating in the league as promised.
Referees Shamisdeen Shehu from Kano State referees Council, Mohammed Aliyu of Niger State Council and Telimo Tarimbowei from Bayelsa State Council were accused of poor handling of the games they were assigned to handle.
In a swift reaction, NNL Head of Operations, Mr.Emmanuel Adesanya said it is imperative for the Faith Irabor led Referees Appointment Committee to have the above mentioned referees investigated as soon as possible.
In a letter to the Committee, the NNL leadership is asking that:
1. Referee Shamisdeen Shehu who took charge of the match between DMD and Yobe Desert Stars in Maiduguri be probed for awarding an alleged dubious penalty in the 113 minutes to DMD and for failing to award what was considered a penalty to Yobe Desert Stars much earlier in the encounter.
The alleged poor interpretation of sections of the law by referee Mohammed Aliyu who was in charge of the game between FWC-Champions versus NAF football at the Area 3 Playground, Abuja.
He was alleged to have performed poorly, while officiating the game, and deliberately frustrated the home team.
3. Referee Telimo Tarimbowei was the man in charge of the Heartland Football club of Owerri and Ibom Youths Football Club. It was alleged that he “unlawfully” extended the first half of the match to 60 minutes, without recourse or justification.
