I know you won’t give them a pass mark. You may even
say they are the real problem of the Nigerian league. For me, it’s a mixed
feeling, if you have witnessed things that happen in different match venues; you
would have no other word but to describe the Nigerian league Venues as – HELL!
It’s better witnessed than hear the story, when in
some venues security personnel even become fanatical. The truth is Referees
face such hazardous risk officiating league matches in Nigeria and you can’t
blame them for all the wrong.
“Beat
a Referee and Kill Nigerian Football:” Nigerian Referees
Association (NRA) came out with this slogan. But they have been beating
referees to stupor and Nigeria football refuse to die. You might say its in
comatose state, but when you beat referees and the game keep going on – no
proper sanctions melted to the team or those involved – it means more referees
would receive more sever pounding in future.
If a Referee die on the field, his wife and children
will suffer, because they will be forgotten. Our system is such that if you die
on active duty, ‘to God be the glory!’ The next day they will play a league
match. If at all you are remembered, they would give you a minute silence –
that’s all you get!
“What
Does Law 18 Say?” The Referees aren’t comfortable with the
shabby arrangements they call security at match venues. What do you expect a
referee to do when he faces life threaten danger – when he is harassed by thugs
or when there is fracas at the venue?
He must first of all save his own head by using what
is called law 18! And what does Law 18 say? “Use your common sense!” If you
have to be bias or even call off the match to save your life, so be it!
“Refereeing
for the Good of the Game:” I
will not pretend not to be aware. There are bad eggs in the system. The
referees who aren’t really thinking of the game, they are thinking of their
selfish interest more than the good of the game.
Some referees have to be blamed for the mishaps in
some match venues, because they don’t interpret the law well. Yet they are not
sanctioned by the O and D or Flushed out by NRA.
“Referees
are exposed to Manipulations:” Often as there may be
problems between NFF and NPL, the referees indemnities accrue and most times
won’t be paid on time. How can referees officiate matches and you owe them? This
gives room for suspicions, because if you aren’t paid and you keep officiating
matches, it means there’s something more driving you. If indemnities are not
paid, referees are open to manipulations by club officials.
There are times when NPL say the home team will
settle referees indemnities and take care of their welfare – hotel, feeding,
and entertainment - that’s playing into the hands of the devil! Our referees
are exposed so much to the manipulations of club officials.
“Set
up a Good Performance Ground:” The good performance
of Nigerian referees is related to the provision of adequate security in all
match venues. Referees should have good welfare package, then the disciplinary
committee must be decisive in expelling any referee that errs.
NFF, LMC, and NRA can work together to develop world
class referees for the good of the game in Nigeria and the world over.
