Euromatch NPFL: NFF Urges Referees To Ensure Fair Officiating

The Nigeria Football Federation ,NFF, Refereeing Development Committee has issued a stern warning to referees officiating in the EuroMatch-NPFL, urging them to avoid errors of judgement in the course of their duties

The committee, in a directive signed by Mohammed Ameenu commended match officials for what it described as generally good performances after six matchdays of the 2026/27 NPFL season.

“The 2026/2027 NPFL season has reached an advanced stage and we have witnessed several excellent performances from some of you while on duty.

“Equally, we have witnessed wrong calls, some of which are errors of judgement, while others are gross misrepresentation of the content and context of the Laws of the Game 2026 as amended,” the memo stated.

The committee said it had become necessary to remind referees of their duties, obligations and responsibilities towards upholding the principles of equity and fairness, as well as ensuring the standard interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game.

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It further stated that measures had been put in place to strengthen monitoring of officiating and safeguard the integrity of NPFL matches.

“In order to ensure that matches are prosecuted without any form of negative tendencies in refereeing decisions, the NFF Acting General Secretary has further instructed the existing Monitoring Committee to deploy personnel to each match centre and be more vigilant in ensuring that the integrity of the NPFL matches and football generally are preserved as well as protected.

“The Monitoring Committee is mandated to directly report actions and inactions of Match Officials to the Ag. General Secretary for appropriate actions,” the directive added.

The committee consequently directed all referees and assistant referees officiating in the ongoing season to discharge their duties diligently, truthfully and fairly to all concerned, without fear or favour.

Issuing a strong warning on the consequences of misconduct, the memo stated that referees and assistant referees who disregard the guidelines or act in ways capable of bringing the integrity of the game into disrepute could face severe sanctions.

“All Referees and Assistant Referees are warned that anyone who disregards these instructive guidelines and acts 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 memo warned.