Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, chairman of the Gombe State Athletics Association and former secretary of the now-defunct Nigeria Football Stakeholders Forum, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to declare a state of emergency regarding refereeing in Nigerian football.
His call follows allegations of match-fixing during the recently concluded football season across various leagues in the country.
In a statement posted on his social media platform, Gara Gombe condemned the practice of private consultants paying referees’ indemnity and urged the NFF to seek a corporate partner or sponsor for refereeing in Nigeria.
He also emphasized that in order to restore integrity to the officiating process, the football body should establish a transition programme that mandates the automatic retirement of referees after five years of service, and initiate a new orientation programme for younger and professional referees.
“Officially recognising refereeing in Nigeria as a profession, akin to engineering, medicine, or piloting, during the emergency period. Implement a rule that prohibits anyone whose primary income is less than N250,000 per month from officiating in NPFL matches.
“Strengthening criminal codes to penalise players and officials involved in betting, with prison sentences and no option for fines.
Allowing match appointments and other professional requirements to be managed by the professional body of referees in Nigeria,” Gombe said.
Gara Gombe emphasised that when players and officials are aware of match outcomes before games are played, it is not only unacceptable but also criminal, posing a significant threat to the integrity of Nigerian football.
