Referees Boss Slams NFF Over Nigeria’s Soccer

Officials of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are largely responsible for the problems of Nigerian football as most of them are just out for pecuniary gains, rather than winning laurels.

Chairman, Plateau State Referee Council, Mr Gambo Sunday, made the declaration in Jos at the weekend and said that things could only be better “if there is a change of attitude among the NFF officials”.

He was commenting on the poor record Nigeria’s game suffered in the international scene in 2011.

Sunday also accused the NFF officials of “always fighting for the inclusion of the big boys” in the national team because of what they could get from them.

“Such an attitude has continually frustrated the technical crews of national teams from fielding players on merit and current form,” he said.

He argued that unless “something drastic” was done to arrest the situation, there might be no hope for the nation for some years to come.

“It is unbelievable that none of our football team, both male and female, will be part of the international tournaments such as African Nations Cup and Olympic games this year. This is a huge shame.”

He challenged the NFF officials to show some honesty and patriotism and allow the technical crews to do their work.

The referee said that the interest of the nation should be uppermost in the minds of all, so as to propel Nigeria toward international success in soccer.

Sunday also took a swipe at the politics surrounding the Nigerian Football League (NFL), and noted that that many decisions had always left much to be desired.

“The boardroom game is killing our football league; I just wonder how we think we could develop the game by such attitude.”

He blamed Plateau United FC’s relegation from the premier league on such “dirty boardroom politics”, and advised sports authorities to look critically into such situations that were destroying the game.

The referee called for “a total overhaul” of the nation’s football house.

Kelechi Osunwa in Al Meriekh colours. He is set to debut for Sudan at the Nation’s Cup, this month.