NFF suspends referee for wrong calls in Katsina-Abia Warriors’ game

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Development Unit, yesterday, announced that it is stepping down referee, Abdulmalik Abdulmalik, from the further officiating in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NFF) following alleged wrong calls during a game between Katsina United and Abia Warriors on March 24, 2024.

Abdulmalik, from the Bauchi Referees’ Council, according to a letter sent to the arbiter and made available to The Guardian, took actions that portrayed the league in bad light.

The letter signed by the chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Mohammed Ameenu, said that the referee’s decisions adversely affected the outcome of the match and also brought the game to disrepute.

“I am directed to notify you that you have been stepped down with immediate effect from the league until further notice,” it added.

Abdulmalik is the latest in the list of referees punished by the NFF in its bid to sanitise the NPFL. The federation stepped down 14 referees in the early days of the 2023/24 season for various acts at variance with the collective good of the league.

The referees were Bawa Buhari, Chukwuka Jahlove, Akinwale Tomiwa, Saeed Abdulaziz, Jimmy Aimugbonrie, Brown Ebenezer and Atuwho Morrison.

Others were Imamu Maliki and Sunday Azi.

Two weeks ago, the federation suspended Mohammed Gata for his bad calls during a matchday 24 clash involving Katsina United and Heartland at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. Both teams battled to a 1-1 draw in the game.

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