The rescheduled match between Bendel Insurance of Benin and Rangers of Enugu in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was called-off on Wednesday due to match officials’ safety.
Deputy Governor of Edo State, Honorable Philip Shuaibu allegedly threatened match officials after dropping a series of points due to poor officiating in home games against Kwara United and Rivers United.
The Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) have insisted that until he refutes his threat, they won’t allow any of their members officiate Bendel Insurance home games.
“Insurance v Rangers called off. The referee will not officiate any game in Benin again, if the deputy governor does not withdraw his statement and tender apology over wrong choice of words use on the match officials,” NRA president, Tade Azeez said.
“The officials are here to officiate match not to put their lives on the line; we must get it right and return sanity to Nigeria football,” Azeez concluded.
Rangers, who are currently on a 13-game unbeaten run in the league and top the Group A – were hoping to secure their third away victory this season.
Meanwhile, the Benin Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five games, which includes home wins over MFM and Wikki Tourists and goalless draws against Remo Stars, Enyimba and struggling Kwara United.
