Referees Withdraw from National League Matches over Money

 

 

The Nigeria Referees Association has ordered its members to boycott  the Nigeria National League following  the inability of the league body to pay them their indemnities for 11 weeks.

 

It was learnt that the NRA in a letter to its members on Thursday directed its members  to  withdraw from the  league matches until the indemnities are paid.

 

NRA sources told a Punch correspondent  that  referees in the Nigerian second-tier league  are paid between N40,000 and N50,000 while the assistant referees are paid between N30,000 and N35,000. The fourth officials get N15,000 and the assessors are paid up to N47,000 per match.

 

Spokesman for the NNL Kelechi Mejuobi, who confirmed the development,  said the referees had been directed to stop officiating until they were  paid.

 

The letter signed by Mejuobi  read in part, “I am directed to inform all referees in the above named categories not to honour matches of the NNL until all outstanding indemnities are paid.

 

The NRA chief  said the  body would only ask its members to return to the league immediately their entitlements are paid.

 

“The NNL has  been notified and the decision was taken in the best interest of our members. However, immediately the right thing is done, the referees will return to officiate matches,” he said.

 

But the Executive Secretary of the NNL, Lawrence Katken, told a correspondent that he was not aware of the development.

 

He said, “I am not aware of any such decision by the referees. It is the first time I am hearing of it.”