Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
General Manager of Go Round FC, Soni Uboh says the decision to sanction some Match Day 3 referees in the NNL was a welcome development.
On Monday, a press statement from the Nigeria Referees Association, NRA and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kelechi Mejuobi listed some referees, including Osondu Uche (CR), Ogbonna Christian (AR), and James Kalu (AR) all from Abia who officiated the game in Ijebu Ode between Shooting Stars and Go Round FC.
Uboh said after this decision was taken by the referees was good, but the league must do more.
“We keep saying that the NNL is the most important league so we must protect it,” Uboh said.
“We were coasting home at half time, then look at what they did.
“We have come from behind at home twice without red cards given to our opponents. These people should be investigated because they are bringing the league to disrepute. Let us restore sanity. Teams that deserve to be promoted should be promoted on merit,” Soni Uboh said.
The Go Round FC coach, Abiye Tamuno Iyalla had earlier cried out on Sunday after the game that the referees messed up the game for him.
“Our boys were leading at halftime and we really do not know what happened.
“We thought the referees’ decisions started going against us,” Iyalla said.
He mentioned the sending off of his striker Onyedikachi Ugwu, whom he said was a thorn in the flesh for the Shooting Stars defence.
“The second yellow card to my striker, Ugwu seemed like a fair challenge, but he was sent off for a second bookable offence.
“He was my main player who harassed the Shooting Stars defence all-day long,” Abiye said.
“We also saw a straight red card given to my central defender, Christopher, which ruined my game plan.
“I do not want to say more than this or risk being sanctioned or blacklisted by the football house, but I think we would have had a better result if some of the decisions of the referees were fair enough.” Abiye Tamuno-iyalla said.
