A memo signed by Mohammed Ameenu praises good performances but says some decisions went beyond errors of judgement.
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The NFF Refereeing Development Committee has warned referees in the Euromatch NPFL that wrong calls and misreadings of the Laws of the Game will not be tolerated. The directive, signed by Mohammed Ameenu, comes after six matchdays of the 2026/27 season.
The committee said it had seen several excellent performances. It also said it had seen wrong calls, some of them errors of judgement and others gross misrepresentations of the content and context of the Laws of the Game 2026.
New Monitoring Measures
The NFF Acting General Secretary has instructed the existing Monitoring Committee to deploy personnel to each match centre and to be more vigilant. The monitors report the actions and inactions of match officials directly to him for appropriate action.
The committee also reminded referees of their duties to equity and fairness and to a consistent interpretation of the Laws. It told them to work diligently, truthfully and without fear or favour. NPFL followers can check YOHAIG’s Bet9ja welcome promo before the next round.
The Warning
The memo says referees who ignore the guidelines or act in ways that damage the integrity of the game face dismissal from refereeing. They could also be handed to security agencies for prosecution on charges of sabotage and match fixing.
The NFF said the measures are meant to ensure matches are played without negative tendencies in refereeing decisions. It said the aim is to protect the integrity of NPFL matches and football generally.
The memo comes during a season that has already produced several officiating rows. El-Kanemi Warriors coach Dogo blamed referee frustration for a heavy defeat to Barau FC, and Ranchers Bees coach Usman Abd’Allah criticised the officiating after his side’s goalless draw with Rivers United.
A Repeated Warning
It isn’t the first time the NFF has issued such a warning. Similar memos came on December 3, 2025 and in a circular dated March 11, 2026, both threatening dismissal and prosecution. Earlier memos in 2025 threatened a minimum 10-year ban for match fixing.
Supporters have long complained about officiating and corruption in the domestic game. New bettors following the league can read the Bet9ja promo code rundown.
NPFL games continue on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, with Kano Pillars against Sporting Lagos and Doma United against Warri Wolves on Saturday.
Monitors will now be at every match centre, so the first weekend under the new instruction will be closely watched.
Will the monitors change what happens on the pitch? Fans who like to call NPFL scores can try Bet9ja’s Super9ja prediction hub this weekend.
📌 Did You Know?
- The December 3, 2025 memo was copied to the chairmen of the NPFL, NNL and NWFL.
- A 2025 memo covered the NPFL, NNL and NWFL as well as the newly launched Nationwide League One.
- A May 9, 2025 memo also applied to referees at the President Federation Cup.
- The independent Monitoring Committee was first set up by the NFF President and General Secretary in 2025.
- Ranchers Bees’ goalless draw with Rivers United was played at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, because the club’s league games this season have been away from Kaduna.