Following recent attacks on match officials, The Nigeria Referees association (NRA) has threatened to stay away from league matches over the incessant attacks of its members by irate fans.
In the three week’s old abridged league, referees have been attacked on two occasions already. The first incident was during the opening day of the league in Jos where fans of Plateau United, descended on the referees, beating him black and blue after the tie against IfeanyiUba ended 1-1.
The the unfortunate development played out yet again last Sunday at Sagamu following Remo Stars 1-1 game against Bendel Insurance. The referee was attacked and injured.
As a result of these attacks, the NRA in a statement on Monday threatened to stay away from match venue if the situation was not arrested.
The body said that the life of a referee was not worth a football league game.
“It is obvious that the incidents in Jos and Sagamu, coming early in the Abridged League are ominous signs of bad days ahead for the domestic league,” NRA National Publicity Secretary, Kelechi Mejuobi, said in a statement.
“Nigerian referees taking part in the NPFL, who are at the verge of losing their lives at match venues if scenes witnessed so far from the violent venues are considered.
“It is on this note that the NRA which strongly cares for the welfare of its members, believes that no life of a referee is worth any league match in the country.
“We are thereby considering keeping away from the NPFL matches to avoid a referee being beaten to death,” Mejuobi said.
Mejuobi called on football authorities in the country to wade into the matter “because the association is on the verge of asking its members to keep away from the league to avoid being killed by rampaging supporters.”
“A General Assembly of the association shall meet to take a decision on this matter even as the sanctions placed on Plateau Utd.
“Based on its earlier resolution, NRA members won’t honour matches on grounds where referees are beaten remains sacrosanct.
“It is obvious that the incidents in Jos and Sagamu, coming early in the Abridged League are ominous signs of bad days ahead for the domestic league.”
