Following series of reports of poor performance, the Nigeria Football Federation Refereeing Development Committee has announced the preliminary suspension of fourteen (14) referees in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
A statement signed by the …. said the affected officials are suspended until when the appropriate technical evaluation of poor performance leveled against them are determined to be either right or wrong.
The affected officials are Referee Bawa Buhari who was in charge of match day 2 tie between Niger Tornadoes and Rivers United.
Referee Chukwuka Jahlove and assistant referee Akinwale Tomiwa who were in charge of match day 4 action between Niger Tornadoes and Bayelsa United.
The second assistant referee in the match day 5 action between Sporting Lagos and Niger Tornadoes of Minna, Zacharia Nde was also supended.
Referee Saheed Abdulaziz and assistant referee Jimmy Aimugbonrie were penalised for their roles in the match day 5 tie between Gombe United and Plateau United.
Referee Brown Ebenezer and Assistant referee Atuwho Morrison received the hammer for their poor handling of the match day 6 tie between Kwara United and Sporting Lagos while all the four officials in charge of the match day 6 action between Sunshine Stars of Akure and Abia Warriors were also suspended.
Referee Imamu Maliki and assistant referee Sunday Azi were also penalized for not living to expectations in the match day 7 tie between Bendel Insurance and Remo Stars.
The committee further requested the full video of the affected matches for proper evaluation of decisions and performances of the officials.