The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has decorated 29 referees with FIFA badges and charged them to be upright in discharging their duties.

The NFF president Ibrahim Gusau gave the charge at the 2023 FIFA badging ceremony at the Conference Hall of the Goal Project, Abuja, on Wednesday.

He urged international referees from the country to respect the integrity regulations expected of them.

Gusau was represented at the occasion by the NFF General Secretary Sanusi Mohammed.

He urged them to showcase the rare qualities that made them to be found worthy of consideration for the elite refereeing status.

“Also, with the increase in their allowances and indemnities, as well as prompt payments directly to them before their matches, it is expected that all these will act as a morale booster for them.

“The NFF has also ordered the match commissioners to ensure that all referees are placed on speakers and recorded at all times during matches,” he said.

Gusau said the NFF would call the referees ahead of every match.

“The era where our teams will qualify for continental competitions and get eliminated in the first round must be a thing of the past,” he said.

The president said the federation was happy with the performances of Nigeria both at international and domestic scenes, warranting their welfare to become  an issue of concern.

President of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Tade Azeez, urged the referees to make use of the chances accorded them to reach the peak of their International career before retirement.

He assured that the issue of security would be a top priority under his watch, as well as the training and re-training of match officials.

Faith Irabor, chairman of the NFF Referees’ Committee, assured that the body would  continue to keep the men in the middle on their toes  to rid Nigerian football of bad officiating.

(NAN)