Gara Gombe Calls For State Of Emergency In Nigeria’s Football Refereeing
Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, chairman of the Gombe State Athletics Association, has issued a strong call for a state of emergency in Nigerian football refereeing. This plea comes in the wake of alarming allegations of match-fixing that have marred various leagues throughout the recently concluded football season.
In a detailed statement shared on social media, Gara Gombe condemned the disturbing trend of private consultants paying referees’ indemnities. He urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to seek a corporate partner or sponsor dedicated to enhancing officiating standards in the country. “To restore integrity to the officiating process,” he said, “the NFF must implement a program mandating the automatic retirement of referees after five years of service.”
Gara Gombe proposed elevating the status of refereeing in Nigeria to a recognized profession, much like engineering or medicine. He urged the NFF to enforce regulations that would prohibit anyone earning less than N250,000 monthly from officiating in Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) matches. He stressed the need for stricter penalties for players and officials engaged in betting, including potential prison sentences without the option for fines.
“This ongoing crisis threatens the integrity of Nigerian football,” Gombe emphasized, warning that when players and officials know match outcomes beforehand, it becomes a critical issue. He concluded by advocating for the management of match appointments by a professional refereeing body to ensure accountability and transparency in officiating.
As Nigerian football grapples with these alarming challenges, Gombe’s remarks have ignited discussions on the urgent need for reform. How do you think these measures could affect the future of football in Nigeria? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
