The executives of the Nigerian Referees Association (NRA) has taken the Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye to the cleaners over his comment against the country’s Referees as he declared that they are corrupt the reason behind their exclusion from major international tournaments.
The Public Relation Officer of NRA, Sareh Jumoke Adebisi, who reacted on behalf of the whistle men to newsmen at the venue of the 3SC versus Rangers International League match in Ibadan described the NSC boss as someone who doesn’t know much as far as Nigerian football is concerned.
“That statement credited to Elegbeleye, was unfortunate especially coming somebody of his calibre, a Director-General of NSC for that matter, alleging that Nigerian referees are corrupt and that was why they were not invited to officiate at FIFA World Cups.
“I want to say here that he is not informed when it comes to football matters. It is wrong for Elegbeleye to say such openly, without having any evidence to substantiate his allegation. It’s unfortunate,” Adebisi noted.
The NRA image maker gave Nigerian referees a pass mark, describing the ongoing Globacom Premier League season as the best in terms of officiating, while warning people who are used to giving Nigerian football referees a bad name without having any concrete evidence to desist from such uncivilised attitude.
“Nigerian referees have been doing well; let me start from the home front. In this year’s league, we have recorded 20 away draws and 23 away wins, we have never had it this good, this year’s league is the best from officiating point of view if you ask me, go and confirm from the past records. If the officiating is not good, we won’t have many away wins and away draws.
“And speaking about international appearances, Peter Edibe has just returned from an international engagement in Cairo and we all saw him officiating in this week 23 NPFL. By the grace of God he is going to the next World Cup.
“If we don’t have somebody from Nigeria that is being projected, how would Peter Edibe find himself at FIFA World Cup and that was why I said Elegbeleye’s corruption allegation is wrong. Nigerian referees are faring very well when you talk of international appointments.
“There are two different categories of World Cup matches, at the finals you will find Nigerian referee there. At the last African Cup of Nations in South Africa, we have a Nigerian there, who officiated up to the semi-finals. We should thank our stars for having Nigerian referees at such level out of many nations fielding candidates, as far as I’m concerned, Nigerian referees are the best and they are doing really good, let Elegbeleye go and confirm his record, I said it and I repeat it he should always get his facts before making any public statement,” NRA PRO fumed.
