NFF Indefinitely Suspends Referee Over Bias

The Referee Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has indefinitely suspended referee Nyah Victor from officiating any matches in the Nigeria National League (NNL). The disciplinary action was taken due to a controversial and highly criticized penalty decision.

The referee’s suspension was formally communicated in a statement signed on Friday by Ameenu Mohammed, Secretary of the NFF Referee Development Committee.

Nyah Victor was the center referee in the NNL clash between Rovers FC and Ekiti United, which took place in Uyo. His performance came under immediate scrutiny for awarding what was widely reported as an unjustified penalty during the fixture.

The official statement confirming the disciplinary measure was stern and unequivocal. It read that the committee’s investigation confirmed the error: “Our investigation discovered that you awarded an unjustified penalty in the match between Rovers FC and Ekiti United.”

The NFF emphasized the damaging consequences of the decision. They stated that the referee’s action not only negatively affected the outcome of the match but also brought the game into serious disrepute.

As a direct consequence, the statement concluded with the immediate and indefinite ban: “In view of this, you have been indefinitely stepped down from all league matches and other matches.”

Nyah Victor is reportedly the first referee to face such a severe, indefinite suspension from the league body in the new season, underscoring the NFF’s commitment to maintaining integrity and fairness in Nigerian football officiating.