THE General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, has advised the 29 Nigerian referees who today received their FIFA badges not to let the country down and to be fair-minded while carrying out their duties.
The match officials were presented with their FIFA badges in Abuja today, which qualify them to handle international fixtures this year.
“I congratulate you all on this very special and important day in your career,” Sanusi told the referees and assistant referees.
“I want to admonish you to take to heart the ethos of fairness, firmness and efficiency in every task you are assigned. You are ambassadors of our great country at any match venue and you must always have that at the back of your minds.
“The new NFF administration is determined to write a new positive story about Nigeria referees and refereeing. It is always painful to see Nigeria Clubs crashing out of continental competitions so early.
“Let us tell ourselves the truth: these happen because some of those teams that qualify to represent us in those competitions are somewhat aided one way or the other and not that they merit their qualification. They get exposed when they get to the continental stage.”
While commending the level of officiating so far in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League, Sanusi assured that those who have been suspended and summoned for questioning will face stiff sanctions if found culpable.
Nigerian referees have often been accused of being compromised after taking bribes, and Sanusi warned the officials against such practices.
“It is sad that championship after continental championship, we hardly get to see Nigeria referees listed for action,” he noted.
“It makes me unhappy because I know we have some of the best referees in Africa, if not the entire world.
“You just need to up your game, stay on the right lane, apply the rules strictly and shun undue influences and attempts at compromising your professional integrity.”
