Nigeria Football Referees’ Association condemns assault on members in Awka

The leadership of Nigeria Football Referees’ Association (NRA), led by Hon. Alhaji Sani Zubairu (FIFA Referee Retired), has frowned at how her members, Charwal Wilfred, Asoluku Ihuoma and Uhuegbu Femi were assaulted and dehumanized during the NNL Southern Conference Group B4 match in the regular season between Edel and Brillars football clubs on Saturday 10th June, 2023 at Awka City Stadium, Anambra state.

In a statement released by Chukwudi Ejimotor, the National Publicity Secretary,
the NRA noted the act to be one hooliganism too many.

“The act is not only barbaric but animalistic, as no sane human being will inflict such degree of injury to his fellow being in the posture of supporting a team.

“That the perpetrators lacked peripheral knowledge of laws governing the game of football is not in doubt but the attack on match officials in a game that had not lasted up to five minutes could be interpreted as premeditated.

“The body strongly condemns the incident and questions the level of security arrangement for the match.

“No reasonable leadership will allow its members to be so treated and the matter swept under the carpet.

“The leadership of NRA awaits the decision and action from the Nigeria National League (NNL), the organizers of the League, which will form part of evidence for any action against the perpetrators of the dastardly act.”