Echoes against poor officiating in local league keep pulsating

Referees heading for duty

In some other parts of the globe, football referees create a supportive sporting environment, which in a way, builds a positive climate on the pitch for players and spectators.

To some, the role played by these referees is key to the growth of football, as their behaviours and attitudes determine the experiences and multilateral development of young players.

Football is a team sports in which the referees interact with players many times and influence the course of the game. But their immediate actions go beyond the pitch, as it could either build or destroy the reputation of a country’s football, thereby making things difficult for managers of the league to secure quality sponsorship to run their affairs.

Over the years, poor officiating has been the talking point, both in the elite Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the lower divisions. Such alleged corrupt practices have ensured that Nigerian referees are not considered in competitions organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and world football governing body, FIFA.

And for many managers in the league, the fear of referees is the beginning of wisdom, as cries of “daylight” robbery by the referees is a frequent occurrence at league venues. In some cases, the men in black uniform are made to pay for their “sins” by the fans, who find it difficult to tolerate their actions.

After his playing career with the IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, and the then Green Eagles, Adegoke Adelabu became the Manager of Eko United FC in Lagos. He was frustrated out of the business by the dubious attitude of some referees.

“Throughout my football career, it never occurred to me that a referee could manipulate a game, until I started Eko United