Nigeria National League centres turning into ‘war’ zones

The third tier of Nigeria’s football league also called the Nigerian National League (NNL) is becoming synonymous with hooliganism. Centres designated for matches in the self-acclaimed most important league in the land have continued to churn out mind-boggling acts of violence and criminal activities. Although no life has been lost, since the beginning of the ongoing NNL season, no week passes without ugly scenes at match venues. Maybe due to desperation for points, clubs that suffer defeats often blame their misfortune on match officials, particularly the referees. In such situations, hell is usually let loose as supporters of the losing clubs spare nothing in their attempt to teach the referees one or two bitter lessons.

At least four match venues have so far witnessed incidents of hooliganism so far and there are indications that if serious punitive measures are not put in place immediately, more of such unsporting behaviours would be penetrated before the end of the season.

It will be recalled that one of the week 3 matches played in Zaria between Green Beret and visiting Kebbi United ended in a free for all as the visitors vented their frustration on one of the match officials.

According to reports, after their goal was disallowed, the assistant coach of Kebbi United, Haliru Umar, committed an intentional act of physical violence on the first assistant referee as he encroached onto the field and punched the referee on his left eye. Therefore, the match was stopped at the 79th minute as Kebbi United refused to continue with play.

Resultantly, the league organisers later awarded the match to the Nigerian Army team and fined Kebbi United N1m for bringing the game to disrepute.

The show of shame then shifted to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where three matches involving Abuja based clubs produced the same primordial attacks on match referees.

In the week five fixture between the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) vs DMD Maiduguri at the Area 3 sports complex, Jeremiah Akure of the Benue State Referees Council narrowly escaped in the hands of irate fans believed to be supporters of the home team after the match ended in a 0-0 draw. It took the combined efforts of men of the Nigerian Police and National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to bring the situation under control. The home team later said the unfortunate situation was borne out of frustration caused by bad officiating.

As if that was not bad enough, another Abuja team, EFCC football club, continued from where FRSC stopped as they recorded back-to-back attacks on referees who officiated their week three and four matches in Abuja.

At the end of their Week three local derby with FWC (Family Worship Centre) FC at the Area 3 sports ground, the economic and financial crime fighters allegedly attempted to molest the centre referee, Terkosu Iorsaanongun, whom they accused of denying them a penalty. He was lucky to escape unhurt as the security personnel at the match venue protected and guarded him to safety.

The unwanted behaviour by the EFCC boys degenerated in their next match when they made a short trip to the Old parade ground Area 10 for another local derby with City FC. Luck deserted the referee who handled this particular match as he was attacked and brutalised by fans believed to be supporters of the club owned by the anti-graft agency. Again, the reason given for the beastly attack on the match arbiter was that he had denied the EFCC boys what they felt should have been a penalty kick to them.

In view of the acts of hooliganism committed, football stakeholders are surprised that Abuja based clubs that should show exemplary behaviours are the ones in the forefront of such dastardly acts that are capable of dirtying the beautiful game.

The clubs on their part have continued to lament that they are usually the target of poor officiating by the referees. They claim they hardly enjoy any advantage even when they are playing at home.

According to them, visiting clubs find it so easy to pick points because Abuja is considered to be ‘no man’s land’. They try to buttress this point by saying even Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs avoid Abuja because they need no seer to explain to them about the consequences. As if there is an element of truth in the claims by the Abuja clubs, Niger Tornadoes have just ‘ran’ from Abuja to Kaduna where they will be playing their home matches..

However, those opposed to the dangerous behaviours of the Abuja clubs say the referees are not against them. According to them, any referee appointed to officiate in Abuja knows that he or she is being watched by the big men in the NFF, LMC and NNL.

Consequently, such referees apply the rules to the letter. As such, it becomes almost impossible for the host clubs to get any undue advantages over their visitors. This they say is the dilemma of Abuja based football clubs.

In any case, even if the clubs are denied ‘home advantage’ as they want everyone to believe, that shouldn’t be enough reason for them to attack referees. Football is not war. It is a sport that should unite us.

Moreover, there are laid down channels through which clubs can table their grievances. A situation where decorum is completely abandoned whenever there is misunderstanding will leave the league in perpetual crisis. Even football lovers will be scared away from match venues because no one consciously walks into a war zone where there is a heavy exchange of gunfire.

And for the club sponsored by the EFCC to be guilty of acts of hooliganism is even more baffling. It is expected that as a law enforcement agency, they would help with sanity in the league. This was the general feeling when the anti-graft agency ventured into the Nigerian league by floating a football club.

Therefore, instead of joining the bandwagon, EFCC should serve as a watchdog in the league. It is an open secret that Nigerian domestic football leagues stink with corruption. But, instead of allowing their supporters to take up arms against referees, they suspect of fraudulent practices, the EFCC should investigate and help bring such offenders to book. Let’s say no to jungle justice in Nigerian football.