Nigerian referee suspended after controversially disallowing goal in Port Harcourt thriller

The first few weeks of the 2022/2023 season of the Nigeria Premier Football League have seen many positive moves from stakeholders

The Interim Management Committee, organisers of the Nigeria Premier Football League, have suspended referee Faro Abdulrahman following his controversial decision during Rivers United’s matchday three clash with Niger Tornadoes on Tuesday.

Rivers United sealed a 2-1 win over Tornadoes at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt to claim their second win of the season and move to first place in Group B.

All the goals were scored in the first half of the encounter with goals from Enyinaya Godswill and Chidiebube Duru – either side of Waheed Adebayo’s penalty goal for the visitors – handing the champions the maximum points.

A decisive moment in the encounter, however, arrived shortly before the halftime break when Niger Tornadoes scored what appeared to be a legitimate goal.

A fine corner delivered into the danger area was completely misjudged by the Rivers United goalkeeper, allowing a Tornadoes player to volley the ball into the net for what would have been the equaliser.

But referee Faro Abdulrahman, from the Lagos Referee Council, voided the goal for a supposed infringement on the hosts’ goalkeeper to the chagrin of the visitors.

🚨Rivers Utd leading Niger Tornadoes 2-1 at halftime in Port Harcourt

Niger Tornadoes equalized but referee Faro Abdulrahman from lagos referees council says infringement

Correct decision?!#NPFL23 pic.twitter.com/vGBQalBK4B

— MikeThePundit (@Mike_ThePundit) January 24, 2023

However, in a commendably swift move by the IMC, referee Faro Abdulrahman has been suspended from all NPFL-related activities.

Mr. Faro Abdulrahman will face a disciplinary panel of the NFF Referee’s Committee where further sanctions could be imposed on the erring official.

Before Mr. Abdulrahman’s error, Nigerian referees have been one of the key stakeholders who attracted applause following their impressive performances in the opening stages of the campaign.

NPFL: Story so far? 

Meanwhile, Group B leaders Rivers United remain one of four teams yet to be defeated in the NPFL this season – the others are Group A leaders Bendel Insurance, Remo Stars, and Sunshine Stars.

Interestingly, while Sunshine Stars have picked up three draws, newly-promoted Insurance have won all their three matches – the only team to have done so.

Nasarawa United in Group A and Wikki Tourists in Group B are the only teams without a point so far, after losing each of their games.