NFF Launches Crackdown on Referees Over Match-Fixing Fears, Warns of Long Bans and Prosecution

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has begun a rigorous crackdown on referees suspected of match-fixing as the country’s football leagues approach critical phases.

In an internal memo issued by Mohammed Ameenu, Secretary of the NFF Refereeing Development Committee, the federation emphasized the need for referees officiating in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), and the newly launched Nationwide League One (NLO), to maintain integrity and safeguard the sport’s reputation.

The NFF expressed concern that clubs, agents, and other football stakeholders might attempt to improperly influence referees in pursuit of unfair advantages. As a preventive measure, the federation has established an independent monitoring committee tasked with overseeing all matches and reporting any irregular or suspicious conduct.

The memo read, “It is obvious that all the three Leagues (NPFL, NNL and NWFL) are at a critical stage while the NLO will kick-start. 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.”

According to the NFF, the monitoring committee will function autonomously, with representatives stationed at every match venue to independently observe and document any actions that contravene the rules or damage the image of refereeing.

“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 further stated.

Referees were reminded that most fixtures would be broadcast live, making their decisions publicly visible and subject to broader scrutiny. The memo clearly instructed, “All referees appointed for matches… are hereby instructed to uphold the principles of equity, fairness and justice.”

In a stern warning, the federation stated that any referee found guilty of manipulating matches or accepting inducements would face severe consequences, including lengthy suspensions and potential arrest. “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 emphasized. “This constitutes an attempt to determine or manipulate the outcome of matches outside the Laws of the game, and therefore, implies match-fixing.”

Furthermore, the NFF warned that such individuals could be referred to law enforcement for investigation and prosecution. “Anyone found to have acted in these negative ways shall also be handed over to State Security Services for further investigation and prosecution.”