NFF warns NPFL referees over errors and match-fixing concerns

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Refereeing Development Committee has warned officials in the EuroMatch-NPFL that poor decisions or conduct capable of damaging the integrity of the competition could lead to dismissal and prosecution.

In a directive signed by Mohammed Ameenu, the committee praised referees for what it described as generally strong performances during the first six matchdays of the 2026/27 NPFL season.

However, it said a number of incorrect decisions had also been recorded, including mistakes in judgement and serious misinterpretations of the Laws of the Game 2026 as amended.

“The 2026/2027 NPFL season has reached an advanced stage and we have witnessed several excellent performances from some of you while on duty,” the directive stated.

“Equally, we have witnessed wrong calls, some of which are errors of judgement, while others are gross misrepresentation of the content and context of the Laws of the Game 2026 as amended.”

The committee said the situation had made it necessary to remind referees and assistant referees of their duties and responsibilities, particularly their obligation to apply the Laws of the Game consistently while maintaining equity and fairness.

It also confirmed that additional steps were being introduced to improve the monitoring of match officials and protect the integrity of NPFL fixtures.

The NFF Acting General Secretary has instructed the existing Monitoring Committee to assign personnel to every match centre, according to the directive. Those officials are expected to take a closer watch of refereeing decisions and help ensure the integrity of NPFL matches and football generally is preserved.

“In order to ensure that matches are prosecuted without any form of negative tendencies in refereeing decisions, the NFF Acting General Secretary has further instructed the existing Monitoring Committee to deploy personnel to each match centre and be more vigilant in ensuring that the integrity of the NPFL matches and football generally are preserved as well as protected,” it said.

The Monitoring Committee has also been told to report directly to the Ag. General Secretary on the actions and inactions of match officials so that appropriate measures can be taken.

All referees and assistant referees appointed during the ongoing season have consequently been instructed to perform their duties diligently, honestly and fairly, without fear or favour.

The committee warned that officials who ignore the directive or behave in a manner that brings the game into disrepute would face severe consequences.

“All Referees and Assistant Referees are warned that anyone who disregards these instructive guidelines and acts in manners capable of bringing the integrity of the game into disrepute shall not only be dismissed from Refereeing but shall equally be handed over to security agencies for prosecution for sabotage and match fixing,” the memo added.