The Nation Newspaper

Tag: referees

  • Mba joins referees on UK trip

    Mba joins referees on UK trip

    The Nigeria Football Federation has approved that FIFA Technical Adviser on Refereeing,  Linus Mba be part of the delegation of the Nigerian referees heading to the United Kingdom today for a two-week capacity enhancing programme.

    Mba, who is also Consultant to the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) on refereeing matters, is a former member of the CAF Referees Committee and one of Nigeria’s finest arbiters ever.

    All the 20 referees were issued visas into the United Kingdom, and the delegation will be led by Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, and also Chairman of Nigeria Referees Association,  Ahmed Maude.

    Three women are among the 20 arbiters, who will undergo a similar exercise to that taken by a team of 10 Nigerian elite referees in a first run of the programme last month.

    The referees heading out for this second exercise, sponsored by Sienna Marine Limited, are Hadiza Musa, Paul Umuago, Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, Ibrahim Umar Fagge, Jeremiah Akure, Francis Agbaegbu, Mohammed Ahmed Rufai, Bosede Momoh, Ishiaku Ibrahim, Iheanacho Chukwuemeka, Dele Atoun, Abdulrahman Suleiman Jimeta, Uloma Nwogu, Abubakar Audu, Obieze Okiridu, Ezenwankor Obiora, Sunny Atu, Sani Mohammed, Jibrin Isah and Mohammed Aliyu Jingi.

    The third batch will leave for the United Kingdom in April.

  • Only referees can be Match Assessors – NFF

    Only referees can be Match Assessors – NFF

    Nigeria  Football Federation (NFF) executive board has approved the proposal by the Nigeria Referees Committee(NRC) to set up a panel of Match Assessors which shall be made up of only referees.

    The NRC hinged their decision on the fact that 60 Nigerians had undergone training by the world football-governing body, FIFA since 2011.

    This decision formed the fulcrum of the major decisions taken by the NFF board in Lagos during their meeting.

    Some of the key decisions taken were:  “Committee approved far –reaching recommendations by the Marketing, Sponsorship and Television Advisory Committee, including registration of all NFF property including marks, logos and signs; involvement of the Marketing Department and Legal Unit in negotiations on international friendly and hosting rights of other matches; commercialisation of kits sponsorships in the interim following the expiration of the contract with Adidas; establishment of a compliance unit in the Marketing Department to protect all rights from ambush and non –compliance from within the NFF; appointment of more marketing consultants/agents in a new strategy to expand revenue base; and the establishment of an integrated Super Eagles’ fan base for capacity building using the website as a revenue stream.

    “The Executive Committee adopted the majority report of the members of the NFF 2014 Electoral Appeals Committee, which upheld in its entirety the NFF 2014 Elective Congress of September 30, 2014. In line with the provisions of the NFF Electoral Code, which states without ambiguity that the decision of the Electoral Appeals Committee on election matters is final, the Executive Committee declared that all issues arising from the NFF 2014 Elective Congress are now fully rested.

  • NFF to blacklist, prosecute erring referees

    NFF to blacklist, prosecute erring referees

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Melvin Amaju Pinnick has vowed to blacklist and prosecute erring referees when the country’s league season begins in March.

    Disclosing this ahead of the NFF’s fourth board meeting slated to hold in Abuja on January 8, Amaju said: “If, after the trips to the United Kingdom to see how things are being done and being engaged in practicals out there, and after our plan to boost their remuneration, we still find elite referees wanting, such persons will not only be blacklisted, they will also be prosecuted.”

    He reiterated that the capacity-enhancing programmes and exposure being given the elite referees now is to ultimately make them better arbiters, failing which they will be harshly dealt with.

    It can be recalled that 17 highly–qualified persons, including renowned coaches and former international players, will also be in the United Kindgom for a three –week match reading and backroom analysis capacity–enhancing programme in a few weeks.

    Pinnick warned that coaches and administrators who fail to identify swiftly with the new vision of doing things differently and in the interest of the nation’s football will be told in no uncertain terms to give way.

    “What we intend to achieve at the end of the day, is in the interest of the coaches, the National Teams, the administrators, the referees and the game generally.

    “Everyone who has the interest of the game at heart will easily key into these programmes. Those who will find it difficult are the people who have been used to impunity and have mortgaged the interest of our football for personal interest over the years. They will be thrown overboard without a second glance.

    “I use this opportunity to call on all the stakeholders of the Nigeria game, including our vibrant media, to support the NFF as we move to arrest the decline and work hard to put Nigerian football on the road to an enviable destination.”

  • Nigeria’s elite referees arrive in London

    Nigeria’s 11 elite referees for a two –week capacity enhancing programme in the United Kingdom flew into London on Wednesday, excited at the quality of the programme and the resource persons at hand.

    NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, had secured sponsorship from insurance firm, Senforce Insurance Limited, for the programme, which will see the referees engage in question-and-answer sessions to analyse English Premiership games, get involved in mini-workshops and visit top playing grounds Wembley and Emirates as well as the offices The Football Association.

    Led by the President of Nigeria Referees Association, Ahmed Maude, the delegation traveled through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and landed at London Heathrow in the evening. They commenced the two –week exercise on Thursday.

    “Honestly, I am highly impressed by the richness of the programme, the content as well as the resource persons who will be handling the various aspects.

    “This kind of programme will go a long way in improving Nigerian referees, and I can tell you that we are all determined to pay rapt attention to every aspect of the two –week exercise in order to gain so much,” Ferdinand Udoh, seen as the rising star of Nigerian refereeing, said on Thursday.

    The delegation also included the Chairman of NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh. Other referees involved are Shuaibu Abdullahi, Usman Isha, Samuel Pwadutakan, Tope Orowole, Egudia Efosa, Ukah Ndubuisi, Peter Ogwu, Paul Umuago, Musa Dung Davon and Olayide Olayinka.

  • Referees call off strike

    Referees call off strike

    The Association of Nigeria Referees (NRA) have called off their two weeks industrial action which grounded all football activities in the country.

    The NRA went on strike unhappy with the happenings in the Nigeria football circle, claiming they were neglected in the episode despite being an active body in Nigeria football.

    However, after normalcy was restored this week the League Management company(LMC), earlier dissolved by the Chris Giwa-led faction of the NFF, said it was waiting for the NRA to communicate, as they are willing to continue with the league.

    However SL10.ng can confirm the NRA has officially written to the various league bodies, signaling their desire to commence full league action.

    Expectedly, league action will resume across various levels of Nigeria Football this week.

  • Referees call off strike

    Referees call off strike

    The Association of Nigeria Referees (NRA) have called off their two weeks industrial action which grounded all football activities in the country.

    The NRA went on strike unhappy with the happenings in the Nigeria football circle, claiming they were neglected in the episode despite being an active body in Nigeria football.

    However, after normalcy was restored this week the League Management company(LMC), earlier dissolved by the Chris Giwa-led faction of the NFF, said it was waiting for the NRA to communicate, as they are willing to continue with the league.

    However SL10.ng can confirm the NRA has officially written to the various league bodies, signaling their desire to commence full league action.

    Expectedly, league action will resume across various levels of Nigeria Football this week.

  • LMC to eject poor referees

    LMC to eject poor referees

    Referees who performed below expectations in the Nigerian top-flight last season will be dropped for the new campaign, League boss Nduka Irabor has announced.

    Irabor praised the efforts of some of the match officials, but blasted those who have painted the League in a bad light.

    “Yes, I appreciate the efforts of some referees in ensuring that our league measures up to world standards, but there are many more that need to be excluded from taking part in the League come next season due to their below par performance. We shall be partnering with the referees’ body in this regard,” he added.

    The League Management Company (LMC) helmsman also hinted that the company would introduce the use of independent assessors at match venues come next season.

    Irabor said the LMC will not rest until the League is transformed to meet international standards.

  • Bosso rips referees

    Bosso rips referees

    Bayelsa United coach, Ladan Bosso has said his side ably deserved to win the title of the just-concluded Glo Premier League season.

    The Yenagoa-based side missed the title by whiskers no thanks to the 0-1 loss to Gombe United in the last day tie at the Pantami Stadium as they eventually finished third on 61 points, two points behind champions, Kano Pillars.

    Bosso said the match officials made it practically impossible for his side to grab the three points against Gombe United that would have helped his wards to win the league crown.

    “We deserved the trophy but for the referee’s biased officiating which saw our two clean goals and penalty denied in the game against Gombe United. If we had got at least 40/60 officiating we would have beaten Gombe United hands down and gone ahead to win the league title.

    “The referee killed our dream for the title and the fact that people have called for an outright ban of the referee strengthens our stand that we were robbed in the game. Kano Pillars are a good side but it appeared the title had been decided prior to the last games as we were assigned match officials from Kaduna and Kano states. Such appointments create room for strong suspicion and rubbish the image of the league,” said the former Wikki Tourists coach to supersport.com.

    Bosso said his side had accepted the challenge to offer Nigerians credible representation at the continent.

    “The target of every coach is to win the league or pick a continental ticket, we’re happy with the CAF Confederation Cup ticket. Bayelsa United have been on the continent previously but for any demotion or promotion there is a challenge attached to it, the Confederation Cup ticket is a challenge entrusted to our hands and we won’t disappoint Nigerians.

    “I’m working on contacts to get players to strengthen the side ahead of next season’s campaign both for the domestic league and continental assignment,” said the former Kano Pillars coach.

  • 24 FIFA-badged referees pass 2013 fitness test

    24 FIFA-badged referees pass 2013 fitness test

    THE 24 FIFA-badged referees, who participated in the 2013 FIFA fitness test for various cadres of referees in Abuja on Thursday, retained their badges after passing the programme. The test was for Centre Referees, Assistant Referees, Beach Soccer Referees and Futsal Referees.

    Emmanuel Imiere, FIFA Physical Instructor, confirmed the results to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    NAN reports that FIFA, through the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) carries out the test yearly to test the fitness level of the badged referees and to prepare them for the 2013/2014 season.

    The test, which had medical and physical exercises, was held from August 27 to 29 with the medical tests taking two days before the physical test.

    The test included five male Centre and Assistant Referees each, three female Centre Referees, four Assistant Referees, three Futsal Referees and four Beach Soccer Referees.

    Imiere said the test was the third quarter fitness programme to be carried out by the NRA.

    ”Also, 14 male and five national referees participated in the fitness test to serve as replacements in case any of the FIFA badged referees failed.”

    He said 13 out of the male referees passed at the national level while only two of the females made the list. He noted that the success of the test would herald the FIFA Member Association (MA) course which external FIFA instructors would handle.

    ”The MA course will hold in the last week of September to keep the referees abreast of the amendments in the laws of the game. We will also invite 20 of our elite referees so as to widen their knowledge and expand their horizon. They will become more exposed as to what the FIFA amended laws of the game are.”

    Reacting to the test, NRA President, Ahmed Maude, said the test was a success compared to the last edition.

    ”The 2013 fitness test was a success compared to last year that we had a casualty. Now, those that were left out opted out themselves even before the test started,” Maude said.

    ”It is a good thing for our football that our FIFA badged referees are fit and up to the task. And it is a good omen which means we have younger referees who are ready to work harder and the sky will be their limit. Now, we are on course and we are maintaining our standard,” the NRA president said.

    Speaking about the national referees, Maude said since no FIFA-badged referee failed, none of the national referees would be called for the yearly test meant for their category.

    ”It means they have done their yearly test, they will not be called for promotion to the Globacom Premier League. They will not have to wait till October when some of their colleagues will be tested, their results will be carried over. It is only those that failed in this test that will be recalled in October.’’

  • King thumbs up referees

    Akwa Starlets coach Emmanuel King has attributed his side’s success story in the ongoing 2013 Federation Cup to the balanced officiating so far exhibited by the referees.

    The Nigeria National League (NNL) side on Wednesday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, defeated NNL Division B leaders Abia Warriors 2-0 to book a passage to the quarterfinals against last year’s runners-up, Lobi Stars.

    The Uyo-based side had earlier shown Glo Premier League sides Kwara United and Dolphins the way out of the annual football fiesta.

    King said his wards are wholly rookies but the referees made it possible for them to display their raw talents to the fullest unlike the scenario that plays out in the league.

    “The performance of the referees in the Federation Cup has given me hope that the referees could perform excellently even in the league if they want to do so. The same sides that are excelling in the Federation Cup are not able to repeat the feat in the league due to questionable officiating therein.

    “We haven’t seen very good officiating in the league as is the case in the ongoing Federation Cup, (I’m not saying this) just because I’m in the quarterfinals, it’s an open secret any unbiased person could readily attest to.

    “Officiating has been balanced no inducement or intimidation of any kind. I think officiating has been wonderful and that explains why my players who are 99% local players are doing very well among established and seasoned players.

    “Aside fair officiating, hard work and hunger to excel among the entire team have contributed to the team’s success story so far in the Federation Cup,” said the Akwa Starlets gaffer to supersport.com.

    King said his side are not troubled facing Glo Premier League side, Lobi Stars in the quarterfinals of the yearly football fiesta.

    “Our mentality and approach to matches is devoid of complex and timidity but to focus on the brighter side of the game which is to win.

    “We’re not intimidated by the high profile of Lobi Stars, our ambition is to win so we won’t have problems handling the side.

    “There appears to be a light at the end of the dark tunnel, we won’t give up hope until we reach the light and I’m positive that my rookies will cause more upsets en route to playing in the final as well as winning the title for the first time,” he enthused.