NPFL: Referee suspended over poor officiating in 3SC, Rangers match

Referee Bashir Saudi of Sokoto has been suspended from officiating in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) by the NPFL referees committee.

The suspension of Saudi was confirmed in a letter sent to the him on Thursday.

This follows the controversial decision by the referee not to award a penalty in the matchday 35 fixture between Shooting Stars and Enugu Rangers at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Wednesday. Shooting Stars won the game 1-0.

“In view of your judgment and inability to identify and place in clear perspective the elements and consideration in challenges for the ball leading to ignoring an obvious penalty situation in Match No. 354 involving Shooting Stars and Rangers International played on June 12, 2024 in Ibadan,” a statement from the referees committee of the NFF stated.

“Your action adversely affects the outcome of the match and thus, I am directed to notify you that you have been stepped down indefinitely and with immediate effect from.”

Rangers went into the game against Shooting Stars just four days after their home clash against Enyimba ended in controversial circumstances.

A late penalty awarded to Rangers for a foul saw the Enyimba players protest the decision and their fans encroaching on to the pitch which led to the game being abandoned.

Following the incident, Rangers were awarded three points and three goals while Enyimba got fined N10 million. The NPFL also fined Rangers N5 million.

Despite the defeat to Shooting Stars, Rangers still lead the table on 64 points, just two points ahead of second-placed Remo Stars with two games left in the league.

Enyimba are in third position on 60 points and Shooting Stars occupy fourth spot on 59 points.