Owing to the decision of the Nigeria Referee Association to boycott league games, the League Management Company has put on hold league games across the country
The Nigeria Referees Association has withdrawn their services from all Nigeria Football Federation organised matches.
In a statement written to the Nigeria Football Federation and signed by NRA secretary Moroof Oluwa, the reason for this action is not far-fetched from the crises rocking the Nigeria football house.
“I have been directed by the Working Committee of the above named Association to inform you that, in view of uncertainty in the Nigeria Football Federation, the Nigeria Referees are hereby withdrawing its services with immediate effect from all matches organized by the NFF which includes the Nigeria Premier League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Nationwide League, Nigeria Women League and the Federation Cup pending when sanity is restored,” the statement read.
Confirming this development to Goal, president of the Nigeria Referees Association, Alhaji Ahmed Maude said the referees will return to duty as soon as peace returns to Nigeria Football.
“We have written to the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation and the league organisers about our decision to boycott all league matches,” he told Goal.
“We feel our members will not be secured if we continue as the crises gets tougher. If everything is settled, we are ready to come back,” he concluded.
Meanwhile the League Management Company have clubs not to proceed to venues of their respective games until further communication.
“We have written to the general secretary of the NFF on this development and have also informed the clubs and our sponsors.”
“We are already running a tight fixture schedule and are hoping that this crisis is resolved soon so the season can be concluded in time for our clubs to prepare for continental registration and participation”, the statement concluded.