Re: Unrepentant Nigerian football referees at it again

Exactly a week ago, my article with the above headline was published and it attracted reactions from different quarters. Of course, so many people commended me for being courageous enough to condemn what is condemnable.

However, some grumbled over what they felt was an unnecessary attack on the gentlemen of the whistle. I warmly welcomed remarks that favoured me and those who tried to undermine my effort at correcting the bad and recalcitrant behaviour of some football arbiters in Nigeria.

Well, I found one of such reactions to the article so interesting that I have decided to share with my readers. Honestly, I learnt some useful lessons from the reasons the writer adduced as possible causes of poor officiating in the Nigerian league. I can’t pretend that I know it all. He actually opened my eyes to see and appreciate some of the things that I once took for granted while assessing Nigerian football referees.

So, because he was patient enough to respectfully ‘lecture’ me on the challenges bedevilling the Nigerian football referees, Ephraim Shagba Iyorhe, a member of the family of referees in Benue State, is today sharing the same platform with me as we deepen this important topic. But before I bring in his comments, permit me to say a few things about the Iyorhes, the family of referees, as I mentioned earlier.

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The family of Iyorhe has become famous for producing some of the best and most successful football referees in Nigeria. This is not surprising because their mother, Comrade Grace Iyorhe, was a referee and she is still active in Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) activities. She no doubt inspired three of her children to become successful referees.

Before his death, Terfa Stephen Iyorhe officiated in the NPFL, her younger sister, FIFA Mimisen Calvin-Owunka who retired recently was one of the best female referees in Africa and Ephraim Shagba Iyorhe whose response to my article I am going to share with you shortly, is currently officiating in the NPFL. It is also interesting to remember that the Iyorhes made history in 2017 when Terfa, Mimisen and Shagba officiated the NPFL week 34 match between El-Kanemi Warriors and FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Maiduguri. It was unprecedented and that record is still standing.

Well, there are so many positives about the Iyorhes in football refereeing but I will do justice to that another time. So, permit me to share with you Shagba’s unedited reaction to my article from last week. He wrote: “This is a nice piece sir, I must say and perhaps must compliment your writing prowess as it is indeed expected of a journalist and a reputable one of your standard and caliber.

However, I am inclined to comment as it is quite unusual of me especially on public platforms or fora where there are often unguided misconceptions to certain issues.

Firstly, I appreciate your understanding that referees are humans and prone to certain mistakes which could be forgivable, but some of this avoidable mistakes could be mitigated by the simple use of communication gadgets,(not necessarily VAR) as provided for in other climes where football and perhaps officiating is made look like a beautiful spectacle played in the galaxies.

I do not know in who’s place it is to make these provisions but I hope and pray not from the body with the rule book and punitive measures to exert the strong arm of the law against the erring officials for whom the entire equipment for their best performance has not been catered for; that will be a very harsh one sir.

Nonetheless, it will be nice to include this in your subsequent expositions in order to proffer solutions too, as it could be an earnest recommendation and perhaps not just criticising and calling for the entire heads of erring officials.

Secondly, beyond the inducement of referees as you have alleged, how about the well-being and safety (with respect to security) of these young men whose lives are always at risk in some very hostile and volatile stadia or arenas almost every other week?

What are the security measures put in place to address these factors? And how much has the organising bodies done with respect to sanctions to serve as deterrence to erring clubs beyond fines and on very few occasions and the deduction of 3 points?

I must admit however, that in recent times the intimidation, bullying, harassment, beatings etc of match officials have reduced but not in its entirety.

Well, my submission is with an open mind to address some of the loopholes in the system and see how best we can all drive the sector for accelerated growth.

I am sure the observations above are not alien and are very much fixable. As a matter of fact it can be achieved in the shortest possible time if the will is summoned. I hope and pray that over all, may this round leather game continue to thrive and bring the desired joy and harmony, a crusade for which it was birthed…

Thank you, my elder brother. My rejoinder is with all due respect and an open mind for football development in Nigeria. God bless you all.”

So, that was how it went down between Shagba and I in the best interest of the round leather game. However, it is necessary for me to make this clear that this young man neither granted an interview nor gave permission for his comments to be published.

I, personally, couldn’t resist the urge to share his incisive response with my readers. I do not want to hear tomorrow that referees are not allowed to speak to the press. I want to state categorically that Shagba didn’t grant any interview.

If anyone feels strongly about anything in this article, he knows who to contact for explanations. At this point, I most respectfully call for all hands to be on the deck for better officiating in Nigerian football. We have some bad eggs in the NRA but we don’t have to throw away the baby with the bathing water. Let’s support the good ones among them to excel.