The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Committee has suspended two match officials, Referee Ubong Amos Ekpanku and Assistant Referee Emmanuel Ufi,for their questionable officiating during the Nigeria National League (NNL) Matchday 4 encounter between Solution FC and First Bank FC.
The match,which took place on January 4-5, 2025,drew criticism over decisions that were deemed inconsistent with the Laws of the Game.
In a statement,the NFF Referees Committee announced the immediate “stepping down” of the officials,emphasizing its commitment to upholding the integrity and professionalism of refereeing in Nigerian football.
The decision underscores the NFF’s ongoing efforts to improve officiating standards, following repeated concerns about poor refereeing in domestic competitions.
The federation has faced growing pressure from clubs, fans, and stakeholders to enforce stricter measures against subpar officiating, which has often led to controversies and disputes in league matches.
The NFF reassured stakeholders that it will continue to monitor and evaluate referees to ensure fairness and credibility in the league.
The current move aligns with broader reforms aimed at enhancing the quality of officiating and restoring confidence in Nigerian football.
