NPFL: NFF hands Premier League referee eight-match ban, warns assistant referee

The Referees Unit of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sanctioned Dankano Abdullahi, a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) referee from Kogi State Referees Council.
Kelechi Mejuobi, the Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
“To ensure better officiating this season, the referee in charge of the Remo Stars versus Abia Warriors match in Sagamu, Ogun State on Sunday, Dankano Abdullahi from Kogi State, has been sanctioned.
“Also, an Assistant Referee, Hulda Nkwocha, has been warned to sit up,” he said in the statement.
He quoted Sani Zubairu, Head of NFF’s Refereeing Unit/Secretary of the NFF Referees Committee, as saying Dankano was handed an eight-match ban for poor officiation in the said game.
“Nkwocha, a female FIFA Referee of FCT Council, was urged to live up to expectations or risk removal from the Panel of Premier League Referees, after her performance in the Katsina United versus Gombe United match in Katsina on Jan. 15.’’
Zubairu was quoted as saying the NFF Referees Committee’s decision came after a careful review of the video clips and reports of all matches of the Referees Assessors.
“All Premier League referees need to be mindful of their decisions and actions before, during and after any game.
“Our committee willl give appropriate sanctions to those found wanting in the course of discharging their duties,’’ he had said.
The NPFL had begun on January 14 in Kano.