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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has launched a crackdown on referees involved in match-fixing, warning of severe penalties, including 10-year bans and possible arrests. As the country’s football leagues reach decisive stages, the NFF fears that clubs and their agents may attempt to influence referees.
In an internal memo signed by Mohammed Ameenu, Secretary of the NFF Refereeing Development Committee, the federation emphasized the importance of fairness and protecting the game’s reputation. “It is obvious that all the three Leagues (NPFL, NNL and NWFL) are at a critical stage while the NLO will kick-start,” the memo stated. “We are conscious that teams and their agents within and outside the refereeing, as well as the football circles, will mount pressure on you in order to court favours for their teams and paymasters.”
To monitor referees’ actions, the NFF has established an independent committee with members deployed across all match centers. “The President and the General Secretary of the NFF have instituted a powerful monitoring committee with members sent to all match centres in order to independently report any observations that are not in line with the provisions of the laws of the game or tend to bring both refereeing and the game into disrepute,” the memo continued.
Referees were instructed to uphold principles of equity, fairness, and justice, with the memo stating, “All referees appointed for matches… are hereby instructed to uphold the principles of equity, fairness and justice.” The NFF warned that referees found guilty of match-fixing or receiving favors would face severe consequences, including long-term bans and possible arrests. “Anyone found to have acted contrarily will not only be suspended but banned from any football activity for not less than ten (10) years,” the memo stated. “This constitutes an attempt to determine or manipulate the outcome of matches outside the Laws of the game, and therefore, implies match-fixing.”
Beyond sporting bans, the NFF also threatened to involve security agencies, stating, “Anyone found to have acted in these negative ways shall also be handed over to State Security Services for further investigation and prosecution.” With most matches being streamed live, referees’ actions will be visible to the public, and the NFF is determined to maintain the integrity of the game.