NFF Warns NPFL Referees Over Officiating Errors

The Nigeria Football Federation’s Refereeing Development Committee has warned referees and assistant referees in the EuroMatch-NPFL against errors and actions capable of undermining the integrity of the league.

In a practice directive titled ‘Instructions and Warnings to All NPFL Referees and Assistant Referees’ and signed by Mohammed Ameenu, the committee commended officials for their performances after six matchdays but expressed concern over some wrong decisions.

‘The 2026/2027 NPFL season has reached an advanced stage and we have witnessed several excellent performances from some of you while on duty,’ the memo stated.

‘Equally, we have witnessed wrong calls, some of which are errors of judgment while others are gross misrepresentation of the content and context of the Laws of the Game 2026 as amended.’

The committee reminded match officials of their duties and responsibilities to uphold equity, fairness and the proper interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game.

It also revealed that the NFF Acting General Secretary had instructed the existing Monitoring Committee to deploy personnel to every match centre and step up monitoring of officiating.

The committee is expected to report the actions and inactions of match officials directly to the Acting General Secretary for appropriate action.

All referees and assistant referees were subsequently directed to perform their duties diligently, truthfully and fairly, ‘without fear or favour.’

The NFF also issued a strong warning against conduct capable of bringing the integrity of the game into disrepute.

‘Anyone who disregard these instructive guidelines and act in manners capable of bringing the integrity of the game into disrepute shall not only be dismissed from refereeing but shall equally be handed over to security agencies for prosecution for sabotage and match fixing,’ the directive warned.