By Our Correspondent

following series of reported unprofessional officiating by referees on duty in the Nigeria National League, NNL, the Leadership of league have frowned seriously at the spates of bad officiating that have recently marred some matches in the “Nation’s Most Important League” even as it has held a meeting with the top officiation of the referees association to nib this anathema in the bud..

To put an end to the ugly trend, the Chairman of the League Distinguished Senator Obinna Ogba and his team met with the Heads of the Nigeria Football Referees Association (NRA) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Committee, Wednesday in Abuja.

Speaking with journalists after the tripartite meeting, Senator Ogba who is also the Chairman Senate Committee on Sports charged the referees to change the bizarre narrative and refuted claims that the NNL is owing referees unpaid indemnities.

“The meeting was important for us and I expect a change from those Referees that are not doing well there are some fantastic ones, that we got lots if complaints about officiating does not mean there are no good referees in the league. We pleaded that those not doing well should be shown the exit door.

“We are not owing any referee since I assumed position as NNL Chairman, if we have any reason to owe them we will let them know”

Senator Ogba,a former grade one referee also advised club owners to stop making advances at referees, and refrain from intimidating or assaulting match officials during games.

“I appeal to club owners if you don’t make advances to the referees they won’t come to you and when they don’t come to you, they have no option than to do their job”

At the meeting were Alhaji Rabiu Inuwa Ahlan, Chairman NFF Referees Committee, Otunba Tada Azeez , chairman NRA, retired FIFA referee Callistus Chukwujekwu, Chief Operating Officer League Management Company (LMC) Salihu Abubakar, Sani Zubairu also a retired referee.

Others are, Emmanuel Adesanya Chief Operating Officer NNL, Nicholas Akujobi Administrative Secretary NNL and Amar Ignis Media & Communications of the NNL.