The executive of Nigerian Referees Association (NRA) has taken the Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye to the cleaners over his comment against Nigerian Referees which was recently published in some sports’ dailies.

The Public Relation Officer of NRA, Sareh Jumoke Adebisi who reacted on behalf of the whistle men to newsmen at the venue of 3SC/Ranger League match in Ibadan described NSC’ boss as an illiterate who doesn’t know his onions as far as Nigerian football is concern.

“That statement credited to Elegbeleye, was unfortunate from somebody of his caliber, a director general of NSC for that matter, alleging that Nigerian referees are corrupt and that was why they were not invited to officiate at FIFA World Cup.

“I want to say here that he is an illiterate, when it comes to football matters. Is not everybody that goes to school is literate, as far as I’m concerned, is only an illiterate that can say such openly, without having any evidence to substantiate the allegation. It’s really, really unfortunate”, Adebisi noted.

The NRA image maker gave Nigerian referees a pass mark, describing this season as the best in terms of officiating while warning people that are fond of giving Nigerian football referees a bad name without having any concrete prove to establish their claims against them.

“Nigerian referees have been really doing well; let me start from home front. In this year’s league, we have recorded 20 away draws and 23 away wins.

“We have never had it this good, this year’s league is the best from officiating point of view if you ask me, go and confirm from the past records. If the officiating is not good, we won’t have many away wins and away draws.

“And speaking about international appearances, Peter Edibe has just returned from an international engagement in Cairo and we all saw him officiating in this week 23 NPFL. By the grace of God he is going to the next World Cup.

“If we don’t have somebody from Nigeria that is being projected that he’s good, how would Peter Edibe found himself at FIFA World Cup and that was why I said Elegbeleye is an illiterate as far as football is concerned, Nigerian referees are faring very well when you talk of international appointments.

“There are two different categories of World Cup matches, at the finals you will find Nigerian referee there. At the last African Cup of Nations in South Africa, we have a Nigerian there, who officiated up to the semi-finals.

“We should thank our stars for having Nigerian referees at such level out of many nations fielding candidates, as far as I’m concerned,
Nigerian referees are the best and they are doing really good, let Elegbeleye go and confirm his record, I said it and I repeat it he is an illiterate as far as Nigerian football is concern”, NRA PRO fumed.

Akanbi Agiri