NFF Suspends Three Referees Over Poor Officiating in NPFL

The Referee Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has handed an indefinite suspension to three match officials—Mohammed Tuta, Ben Japhet, and Ikechukwu Taiwo—for what it described as substandard officiating in recent Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixtures. The decision was made public through an official statement signed by the committee’s secretary, Ameenu Mohammed.

According to the statement, the disciplinary measure follows thorough assessments of match reports and video reviews that exposed questionable decisions by the officials during NPFL games. The Committee expressed disappointment at the lapses, noting that such performances undermine the credibility and integrity of the domestic league.

Referees Mohammed Tuta and Ben Japhet were specifically accused of making decisions that fell far below acceptable professional standards, thereby affecting the outcome and fairness of the matches they handled. Their actions, according to the Committee, violated established officiating guidelines and eroded public confidence in league officiating.

In a separate case, referee Ikechukwu Taiwo was sanctioned for awarding what the NFF described as an “unjustified penalty” that changed the course of a crucial encounter. The Committee stated that his decision showed poor judgment and a lack of adherence to the rules of the game.

All three referees have been suspended indefinitely, pending the outcome of further review sessions and possible retraining programs designed to improve officiating standards across the league. The Committee emphasized that the suspension was not punitive alone but corrective, aimed at raising the bar for refereeing in Nigerian football.

The NFF reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing professionalism and accountability among referees, promising continuous monitoring to ensure fairness in match officiating. It also assured football fans and stakeholders that such disciplinary actions are part of ongoing efforts to restore confidence in the NPFL and elevate the quality of the competition.