A FIFA and CAF Instructor, Emmanuel Obafemi, on Friday in Ilorin, Kwara State, urged officials of clubs in the various national leagues in the country to desist from offering bribes to officiating officials.
Obafemi said that this was to ensure fair officiating in the leagues across the country.
“If club officials stop tempting referees with bribe, it will reduce, and probably, eradicate the rampant corruption in the league, especially the premiership,’’ he said.
The instructor, who is also the Registrar, University of Ilorin, noted that the society had also contributed into the rot plaguing the nation’s leagues.
“The society has been corrupted and people in it are now moving in the same direction.
“We must all join hands together to stop it for the benefit and growth of the game of football.
“If club officials stop offering the officiating officials something, then we will know which official is competent and which one is not among them,’’ Obafemi said.
The registrar expressed disappointment over the relegation of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC and Kwara Utd FC, both of Ilorin.
He, however commended the governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed for what he called his quick restructuring of the state-owned Kwara Utd.
He expressed his readiness to support the two clubs to speed up its promotion back to premier league next season.
According to him, football is a big business that requires the services of intellectuals who know its rudiment.
