NPFL Ref Under Fire For Controversial Replay Decision In Enyimba’s Win

Eko Hot Blog reports that Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) referee Nuru Abdullahi is facing criticism for his absurd method of using a broadcast replay to award a goal to Enyimba in their 1-0 win over Doma United on Sunday.

Enyimba scored in the 88th minute through striker Chijioke Mbaoma, but Abdullahi initially ruled it out for offside after consulting his assistant referee. However, amid protests from Enyimba players and officials, the referee opted to review the decision through the outside broadcast facility being used for live transmission, eventually awarding the goal.

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“Either given or cancelled from his first decision, the ref would have been pardoned for human error because the offside was marginal. The AR flag going up and down. The referee checking OB replay. Everything was just embarrassing,” journalist Tobi Adepoju wrote.

A viral video showed the referee crossing the pitch-side barrier and being carried by overzealous fans, seemingly expecting a favorable decision.

Bearing in mind that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is not yet in use in the NPFL, the referee’s choice raised eyebrows. “Fine, it’s a goal but nothing brave there. That’s absolutely rubbish. Did you know how many times have we seen goals wrongly disallowed in Europe when goal line tech didn’t exist? Did the ref go to Sky Sports to go watch the replay to award goals? That’s absolutely rubbish,” a fan, Ayodeji, wrote.

Keny David blamed the incident on Enyimba’s inadequacies, stating, “Orderliness and professionalism need to be embraced by Nigerians at all levels. It is very sickening when a football club – state-owned club can’t provide a medium-sized electronic device to see replays.”

Silver Ukpabi also criticized the Enyimba hierarchy, saying, “Is this the kind of goal you encourage and celebrate for Enyimba? Shameless Nigerian refs. No wonder they had zero referee representatives at CAF and FIFA competitions.”

However, some fans believed the referee made the choice for his safety. “He did it for his safety. The last time such a thing happened and it didn’t go their way the officiating teams were beaten to a pulp, so until the NPFL starts providing adequate security such a thing will never cease to happen,” said a fan named Brain Child.

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Mike Somerset provided further context, saying, “I was live at the stadium yesterday. The linesman caused the whole thing. The ref was awarded initially and later canceled after the linesman told him that it was offside. But from the stand we noticed Doma coach rushing and shouting at the linesman before he raised the flag.”

The incident has sparked mixed reactions, with some criticizing the referee’s actions as embarrassing and unprofessional, while others defended his decision as a safety measure.

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