The crisis in the governance of Nigerian football further deepened on Wednesday following an announcement that the country’s referees association will withdraw the services of its men from the different tiers of the league.
According to a statement from the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) through its secretary-general, Prince Moroof Oyekunle Oluwa, the referees body working committee explained that the NRA is withdrawing its services to the different leagues following the crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Affected by the referees’ boycott are the Nigeria Professional Football League (Glo Premier League), the Nigeria National League (NNL), the Nigeria Nationwide League (NNWL) and the Nigeria Women’s League.
The referees body also stated that its withdrawal further extends to the Federation Cup for the men and women.
“I have been directed by the Working Committee of the above named Association to inform you that, in view of uncertainty in the Nigeria Football Federation, the Nigeria Referees are hereby withdrawing its services with immediate effect from all matches organised by the NFF which includes the Nigeria Premier League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria NationWide League, Nigeria Women League and the Federation Cup pending when sanity is restored,” the NRA secretary-general wrote to the different tiers of the Nigerian league on Wednesday.
However, the League Management Company (LMC) has bemoaned the current impasse rocking the governance of football in Nigeria, which has brought about two groups.
The LMC, which oversees the running and management of the Nigerian top tier, the NPFL, has now put on hold all games billed for Match Day 26 this weekend.
“The decision is in the light of the notice of withdrawal of services by the Nigerian Referees Association which makes it impossible for us to organise games.
“We have written to the General Secretary of the NFF on this development and have also informed the Clubs and our Sponsors,” a statement from the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, read.
He said the LMC desires that the crisis be amicably resolved soon to restore an enabling environment for the league to run smoothly.
“We are already running a tight fixture schedule and are hoping that this crisis is resolved soon so the season can be concluded in time for our clubs to prepare for continental registration and participation,” Abubakar stated.
Source: SuperSport