The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has slammed life ban on a referee, Zaharadeen Nasiru, and his assistant, Usman Auwalu, over their mishandling of the Nigeria National League (NNL) week 17 fixture between Jigawa Golden Stars and Sporting Supreme in Dutse.
Recall that the referee awarded a highly controversial goal against the visitors from Abuja after a player of Jigawa Golden Stars scored with his hand.
The moment captured on video, which went viral has resulted in the latest development.
The NFF Referees’ Committee in the letter of expulsion signed by Mohammed Ameenu stated clearly that “In view of the serious nature of the decision taken in your week 17 match involving Jigawa Golden Stars and Sporting Supreme FC played in Dutse wherein your actions brought refereeing and the game in Nigeria into disrepute, I am directed to notify you that you have been expelled with immediate effect the league and refereeing generally.”
The latest in a series of punishments meted out to erring referees in the ongoing season, perhaps the two are the first to be handed life bans.
Sometime this year, at least 14 elite referees were suspended from officiating in the Nigeria Professional Football league (NPFL).
In a similar vein, the NFF removed Imamu Maliki Umar from officiating in the NPFL for the controversial call he made in the Matchday 17 clash between 3SC and Bayelsa United in Ibadan.
Referee Mohammed Gata who officiated the week 24 fixture between Katsina United and Heartland in katsina was also suspended by the NFF.
