Referee Training Officer opens up on imperfections of referees

The decisions of football referees have telling effects on the outcome of games.

When a referee makes some mistakes or errors in the course of the game, people don’t get to hear their side of the story.

Ahead of the opening games of the 2022/2023 Creative Championship League (TCC League), the organisers organised a symposium for Ogun State referees last Friday at Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo.

Aregbesola Sixtus, training officer of Ogun State football Referee Council while speaking with journalists after the symposium empathized that referees are human.

He said that people tend to notice the faults of the referees more than their good sides.

“Referees are human beings and are bound to make mistakes. Most of the time people don’t comment on the good aspect of their officiating but only speak about the bad aspect,” Aregbesola Sixtus told NigeriaFootball.ng.

“Within the referees, we know that some are corrupt but no matter what happens, the referees are doing their best. It depends on the situation as well as the security situation at the stadiums which also affects referee performance. When there is no security, the referee cannot give his or her best in a hostile environment.”

Last weekend, the TCC League made use of the referee communication device during games at Remo Stars Stadium Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, and Legacy pitch in Lagos.

“The Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) under Alhaji Tade Azeez, there is a policy to protect referees. Sixtus continued.

“There is also insurance that covers the referee during duties like accidents but many are not just making use of it. This is due to personal perspective as some don’t believe in it while some of us are into it. The insurance plan is actively done at the higher cadre officiating at league level.”

It is hoped that league organisers and host teams will put necessary security in place to ensure the safety of referees which will ensure their effective decision-making on the field of play ahead of the kick off of the football seasons in Nigeria at the men and women cadres.