NRA threatens to withdraw refs from NPFL over attacks
The Nigeria Referees Association has threatened to withdraw its members from the Nigeria Professional Football League following repeated attacks on referees in the league.
On matchday one of the league, referee Sam Agba was assaulted by fans of Plateau United in Jos while on Sunday in Sagamu, some match officials were attacked by fans of Remo Stars, who recently returned to the Nigerian topflight.
The Remo fans reportedly descended on the match officials – referee Bethel Nwanesi and his assistants Nalado A. and Salihu B. – following the cancellation of a late goal by the referee in their 1-1 draw against Insurance of Benin at the Gateway stadium.
Viral photos of the incident, which was reportedly started by a fan on wheelchair, showed the referees covered in blood after they were hit by bottles and other objects on the head. Another photo showed the officials’ heads being stitched by medical personnel.
Publicity Secretary of the NRA Kelechi Mejuobi said the association was waiting for the decision of the League Management Company on the incident, adding that it would hold a meeting to decide on the withdrawal of the referees from the league following the latest attack.
“While the NRA awaits the decision of the league organisers, the LMC, it has become imperative for the leadership of the referees body to once again not only condemn the barbaric act, but also urge football authorities in the country to wade into the matter because the association is on the verge of asking its members to keep away from the league to avoid being killed by desperate club officers and their rampaging supporters,” a statement signed by Mejuobi on Monday said.
“A General Assembly of the association shall meet to take a decision on this matter even as the sanctions placed on Plateau United based on the earlier resolution that NRA members won’t honour matches on grounds where referees are beaten remains sacrosanct.
“It is obvious that the incidents in Jos and Sagamu, coming early in the abridged league, are ominous signs of bad days ahead for the domestic league, particularly, Nigerian referees taking part in the NPFL, who are on the verge of losing their lives at match venues if scenes witnessed so far from the violent venues are considered.
“It is on this note that the NRA, who strongly cares for the welfare of its members and believes that no life of a referee is worth any league match in the country, is considering keeping away from the NPFL matches to avoid a referee beaten to death.
“It suffices to note that the repeated acts are affecting the mental psyche of the referees at employing best practices in the course of discharging their duties at match venues for fear of being attacked, while their disposition to honour future NPFL matches has waned drastically.”
Meanwhile, Remo Stars have condemned the violent act of their fans, promising to fish out those involved in the act.
A statement from the club’s spokesman Dimeji Oshode said, “A manhunt has started immediately as the management of the club and the Nigeria Police Force, Sagamu Division, are working closely to ensure that the intruder is brought to book to face the consequences of his actions.
“We totally regret and condemn this act as we don’t encourage violence in football. We also want to warn our supporters or individuals, who come with the intention of disrupting or causing violence in the stadium, that the club will severely deal with anyone found guilty of such behaviour.”