Are Referees Maltreated In Nigeria?

 Aderonke Bello

Mr Basil Giwa left his house for a fitness test, probably bidded his wife a goodbye and the kids a promise to buy a gift on his way back but unfortunately he couldn't make it home. He died during a

fitness test for referees just a few days to Christmas.

A similar event happened where a referee also died in 2013 in Abuja during of a fitness test. Please reason along with me in this piece.

Medical facilities

Nigerian referees are great and of course important to the cause of football. What on earth were you thinking when you gather grown men together for a fitness test without an ambulance or at least a first aider with relevant kits? and in fact, what value do you put on a man's life?  It is unethical, risky and bad, and the NRA needs to take a critical look at this issues. Whenever they're meeting next in whatever capacity shape or form they must have or make provisions for first aiders and or an equipped ambulance.

Frankly speaking the NFF and the NRA should sit up. The referees are our darlings,  match deciders who deserve as much pampering as the administrators. They're one of the major stakeholders in global football and shouldn't be seen as the ones to do hatchet jobs for any team, manipulate or cheat if such exists. They are heroes, worthy of proper medical services during a fitness test.

And to all referees, you guys should know your medical history, and if there is an issue, ensure that you inform or disclose it the authorities and get proper medical care. Do not risk your lives when you are not medically fit.

Training

The referees are supposed to train regularly, both indoor and outdoor. Check their blood pressure, conduct regular ECG to be sure there are no underlying illnesses that will deter them from carrying out their duties. 

Resource persons from Europe can also be invited to train them. Lest I forget, kudos to the NFF for taking some selected side to the UK but this is not enough, it was a training for a selected few. I think next time they should invite trainers to the home shores to save time and money and also to enable all other referees to benefit.

Bribe taking allegations

Many a time,  referees have been accused of taking bribes from teams to manipulate matches and if  there's any truth in this, it is totally wrong. I hate corruption. What's the essence of taking bribes and going home with a broken head and disturbed conscience?. How would you feel deep down inside when fans pounce on you and beat you up because they had been cheated? How much money can they give you and how would that make any significant or long-lasting impact in your life. Ask yourself please. If anyone is guilty of taking bribe I advice you stop and put an end to that right now and up your game.

Communications

It is so good to watch the EPL referees communicate. It is somehow sexy when you see the referee whispers to his mic during matches obviously talking to his assistants or the fourth official. You don't need to scream or need the help of fans to help call your attention to a raised flag by assistant referees. The NFF/LMC/NRA need to do the needful by availing the referees a communicating gadgets, which will enable them communicate well during matches . This is very important and must be introduced and implemented next season.

Referees need to be helped with their decision making, please avail them with necessary gadgets, accompanied by control and monitoring facilities, it is affordable. This will help better the league, referees coordination and appeasement of disgruntled fans.

Security

The NRA should ensure that referees get their own personal bodyguard lol. Well if they think its a joke or funny why not work with one or two of the security outfits or para-military agencies in Nigeria to get designated officials for referees or indeed utilize the Police force. The referees have been unfairly treated for too long, some  got beaten, maligned, insulted, abuse and harassed and of course I believe the association will put good heads together for a safer working environment for referees. They need to be specially protected.

Pay raise and prerequisite

European style referee pay structure needs to be adopted, with a set salary plus bonuses for officiating in other to minimize or eliminate the culture of bribery and match-fixing. Referees deserve to earn good money as we know, some might not even get a match for over a year. We have selected referees by footballing body as far as I know. I think they should be well rewarded and be fair in their selection. Favouritism or godfatherism should not determine who officiates a match.