Sports
Ex-NRA Scribe Tasks NPL On Referees’ Remuneration
The immediate past Secretary of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Sunday Audu, has urged the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) to improve on referees remuneration for better performance.
Audu told newsmen in Lagos that such a step would reduce the incidence of match fixing allegations being made against referees in the league.
He admonished that, for the absence of issues bordering on bribe and match fixing allegations, referees should be paid their indemnities as and when due.
“If they pay the referees well, their eyes will not turn to the bribe they are being offered.
“Their remuneration is still very poor, imagine a referee being paid N15, 000 to officiate a match in Jigawa and he is based in Kastina, it’s unheard of,’’ the former secretary said.
Speaking on the quality of football played so far in the first stanza of the 2011/2012 NPL season, Audu applauded the standard being exhibited by clubs, through away victories, which he said implied fairness.
“The norm is that if clubs perform well, good officiating should complement their efforts, but if the club performed well and officiating was poor, it will not speak well of the league.
“The two have to work together, if one is lacking, the other one won’t achieve its aim,’’ Audu said.
Audu also commended the effort of the NPL in the provision of adequate security for referees at match venues.
“As it is now, the security of referees is commendable, but it can be improved upon,’’ the former secretary of the NRA said.
He, however, complained about the high handed manner with which the Dispute and Disciplinary Resolution Committee was going about its assignment.
He said, “that the committee usually makes pronouncement without following due process.
“I don’t agree with the decisions they take at times, I don’t agree with them, they go beyond their bounds, whenever they take their decisions.
“My anger again is that they make pronouncements without consulting others involved in the process of arriving at the decision they took to resolve the issue at stake.
“They should follow procedures, the way and manner disciplinary issues are handled are not healthy for the league’’.
On his assessment of the NPL in comparison to what obtained in Europe, South America and South Africa, Audu said that there was no basis for comparison.
“Even though the league is faring well, we cannot compare it to the European and South American football leagues.
“We can’t compare our league with developed countries, but in Africa, Nigeria is number one, followed by maybe South Africa,’’ he said.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Liverpool’s season of abject misery worsened as they were beaten with embarrassing ease by a hugely impressive Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s Premier League champions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.
Liverpool head coach Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.
Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.
Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 39 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.
Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.
It means Liverpool, who lie 11th before Saturday’s late fixture, have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games as Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree comes under further scrutiny.
Forest, meanwhile, are surging away from the relegation zone and are up to 16th.
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