The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has suspended three referees from officiating in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following what it described as substandard performances in recent matches. The decision, announced through the NFF’s Referee Development Committee, affects Mohammed B. Tuta, Ben Japhet, and Ikechukwu Taiwo, who have all been placed on indefinite suspension pending further review and mandatory retraining assessments. In a statement signed by the Committee’s Secretary, Ameenu Mohammed, the NFF said the disciplinary action underscores its commitment to restoring integrity, professionalism, and credibility to match officiating in Nigerian football. “The Committee remains committed to upholding the principles of integrity, transparency, and professionalism in Nigerian football officiating,” the statement read. “Any referee found to be compromising match standards will face strict disciplinary measures.” Tuta and Japhet were cited for questionable decisions during the Matchday 8 encounter between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano — a game that later degenerated into crowd violence following disputed calls. Similarly, referee Ikechukwu Taiwo was penalized for what the Committee termed an “unjustified penalty” awarded during the league match between Nasarawa United and Rangers International. The NFF’s action comes amid growing pressure from clubs, fans, and stakeholders over inconsistent refereeing standards and the need to safeguard the credibility of the domestic league. By enforcing these suspensions, the federation aims to send a strong message that poor officiating and unprofessional conduct will no longer be tolerated in Nigerian football. Industry observers say the move aligns with the NFF’s broader efforts to reform referee training, enhance VAR adaptation frameworks, and introduce performance-based assessments for officials in the NPFL. The affected referees will undergo retraining and performance evaluation before any consideration for reinstatement.
NFF suspends three referees over poor officiating in NPFL matches
