Sports
LMC Suspends NPFL Referees For Poor Officiating
The League Management Company (LMC) has recommended the suspension of some match officials who officiated in five match day 14 fixtures from further officiating matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League pending full investigation into their performances.
The five match day 14 fixtures are Heartland vs Nasarawa United, Lobi Stars vs Rivers United, Go Round vs Rangers International, Yobe Desert Stars vs Enyimba International and FC IfeanyiUbah vs Plateau United.
The first set of officials recommended for suspension by the LMC are Moroof Afolabi (Kwara), Akinsanya Segun (Oyo), and Alhaji Alhaji (Kogi) who officiated the game between Go Round FC and Enugu Rangers at the Krisdera Hotel Stadium, Omoku.
The game ended in a 2-2 draw with the hosts rallying from two goals down to earn a share of the spoils with the home team benefitting a late penalty awarded by the centre referee which was converted by Okon Otop.
Also recommended for suspension are the officials who officiated the match day 14 encounter between Heartland and Nasarawa United match at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri.
They are; O.O Awosakin (Ondo), Busayo Ogunyamodi and I.O Awosakin all from Ondo state.
The centre referee, Awosakin according to various sources was alleged to have awarded a dubious penalty to hosts deep into stoppage time which gave them a 2-1 win.
For the Lobi Stars vs Rivers United match, the officials recommended for suspension are centre referee Folusho Ajayi (Oyo) and her assistants, Aina Idris (Lagos) and Abdulganiyu Abdulmalik (Bauchi).
Hosts Lobi Stars also won the game courtesy of late penalty which was converted by Austine Ogunye.
Further recommended for suspension are officials in the FC IfeanyiUbah vs Plateau United game. They are centre referee Awalu Rabiu (Zamfara), Adamu Zakari (Jigawa) and Badamosi Badamosi (Jigawa).
The last batches of officials recommended for suspension are the referees in the Yobe Stars vs Enyimba International match. The referees are Dankano A. Mohammed (Kogi), Mohammed Surakat and Toyin Sunday, both from Kwara State council.
The LMC stated that the performance and conduct of the listed referees recommended for suspension were well below the high standard expected in NPFL including questionable decisions anc failure to submit match reports on time.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino last Thursday, in Abuja, revealed how Nigeria can be made a destination for top Grade A football matches and FIFA competitions.
Infantino gave the insight when the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare took him on a tour of the renovated main bowl of the MoshoodAbiola National Stadium.
The FIFA boss, who was visibly happy with the re-grassed pitch at the stadium, said well-maintained stadia with good pitches were key to hosting grade A matches.
He said FIFA was ready to work more closely with Nigeria to develop the game and host more grade A matches in the country.
“We (FIFA) have to make sure when a country, when a government with the President, the minister and private persons are investing in football, in stadia, we work with them to give something back.
“It’s obvious that stadiums like this (MoshoodAbiola stadium) and others in Nigeria deserve the best quality games.
“They deserve top national team games, top club games and it’s not just about Nigerian football or African football, it’s about global football.
“We are working together to see what kind of new opportunities, competitions we can bring for men and women to fill this stadium and make the heart of the stadium beat for the fantastic spectacle that all of the Nigerian love, which is football,” he said.
Earlier, the minister said the Federal Government will continue to invest in sports development and facilities.
Tidesports source reports that the FIFA President, in the company of the minister, had earlier visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Statehouse, as part of his engagement.
Former Nigerian goal keeper, Andrew Aikhomogbe has called on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to resolve every outstanding salaries and bonuses owed to the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr before the next World Cup qualifiers against Central Africa Republic (CAR).
Aikhomogbe made this known on the backdrop of the football body’s recent deal with Baba Ijebu.
Although the financial details of the deal was not disclosed, Aikhomogbe in an interview with Newsmen from his base in Cairo, Egypt, stated that the NFF should use this platform to offset Rohr’s salaries and bonuses.
“It’s a big delight to know that the Nigeria Football Federation have signed a deal with Baba Ijebu and this will serve as an opportunity for them to use part of the money to pay Rohr’s salaries and bonuses.
“There is no better time to motivate him than now before Nigeria’s next 2022 World Cup qualifiers against the Central Africa Republic (CAR) on October,” he said.
Enyimba FC Goalkeeper, John Noble has stated that the players of the People’s Elephants will be key to the success of the newly appointed coach of the team, Finidi George.
Finidi, signed a two-year deal with Enyimba and oversaw his first full training session with the team on Thursday after a cameo appearance on Wednesday.
Speaking in a chat with Tidesports source, Noble gave his assessment of the coach in his first session under the manager and believes the former Super Eagles winger has what it takes to lead the team to the next level.
He added that the Enyimba players will be the ones to hand Finidi George his success at the club.
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