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Chairman of the Nigeria National League, George Aluo, insists the second-tier league has run well this season, and blamed the cases of violence and poor officiating which has reoccurred in different matches within one week on the desperation of some clubs to avoid relegation and also make the promotion play-offs, The PRIMANEWS reports.
This comes in the wake of another case of violence during a week 18 game between Gateway FC and Ikorodu City in Abeokuta on Saturday, which has now seen the home team banished to Benin for the remainder of the season and also fined N1m.
Last Monday, the NNL issued a summary jurisdiction and fined three clubs over violent conduct and also recommended some match officials to be delisted over poor officiating.
Popular among the incidents was the expulsion of the two referees who were involved in the Jigawa Golden Stars vs Sporting Supreme game, Zaharadeen Nasiru (Katsina State) and his assistant, Usman Auwalu (Borno State), as well as outright ban of Jigawa Golden Stars player, Mohammed Salim for attempting to score a goal with both hands.
“The NNL has run very well this season, what we are seeing now is not something we didn’t expect. We expected it because it’s the second round and there will be desperation to gain promotion and escape relegation,” Aluo told The PRIMANEWS.
“The sour point was the Dutse show of shame and I am happy in the first place with the way NFF reacted to it before we even took a decision. We will not spare anybody that wants to bring this game to disrepute. I am so sad when I see these things that are dragging the league back and it’s down to desperation on the part of some club officials which brings about questionable officiating,” Aluo added.
Aluo further disclosed that the new NNL board has prioritised the welfare of referees.
“Before now, there was no season that the NNL ran and the referees were paid their indemnities. This is the first time it’s happening and we are not owing them a dime. It might not be big money, but we have even raised what they got last season by 100 per cent. So, whatever they are supposed to get statutorily this season, they have always got it,” he said.

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