NRA Boss Calls For Reduction Of Refs In NPFL

The Nigeria Referees Association on Monday made a case for the use of fewer referees for Nigeria Professional Football League games.

President of the Nigeria Referee Association, Ahmed Maude said in Abuja that reducing the number of referees in the league would help the growth of the competition.

“In England, hardly in a year will they promote three to four referees to Premier League, unlike what we have in Nigeria. You must be exceptionally good before you come to Premier League, the Referees' chief began.

“We must identify the best and restrict the number (that gets promoted), so that the more they officiate, the better they become. If you only officiate once in five weeks, how good will you be?

“If you officiate this week, rest next week and officiate the week after alternately like that. I think there will be good referees, you know practice makes perfection.

“Therefore, when they do a lot of work, a lot of matches, they will be perfect.”

The NRA boss said referees' perfection would go a long way in attracting more fans and sponsors to the league.

He added, “In England, they have only 23 referees officiating in the Premier League, which means every two weeks, you must have an action.

“I think if we can do that, our league will be one of the best, it will attract more spectators, more sponsorship and all the aspects of football that you think.”