Referees' Association speaks out against attack on officials after Cup match

The Nigeria Football Referees’ Association (NFRA) has condemned the attack on match officials after the 2026 President’s Federation Cup semi-final. This match was between Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, Edo State.

The troubling incident happened on Wednesday, 17 June, right after the intense game, which ended in a penalty shootout.

Reports given to the NFRA say tensions rose quickly after the final whistle. As the match officials walked towards the tunnel, two players from Nasarawa United, whose names have not been revealed, and a member of the club’s medical team confronted and attacked the officials.

Witnesses say the situation turned violent. The Fourth Official faced the worst of the attack, suffering injuries. His communication gear, stopwatch, and official match kit were also damaged during the fight.

Things got worse when the centre referee’s uniform was reportedly torn and destroyed in the chaos.

In response to this, NFRA Acting President Kelechi Mejuobi shared his worries about the ongoing attacks on referees at football matches across Nigeria. He called the latest incident unacceptable and harmful to the growth of the sport.

Mr. Mejuobi urged football authorities to take strong actions against those responsible. He wants better measures to protect match officials in the future.

He said, “The continued attacks on referees are a serious threat to the integrity of football and must not be tolerated. Those involved should be identified and punished accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others.”

Following this incident, the NFRA has instructed referees for upcoming matches to ensure that proper security is at the venues before games start.

The association emphasized that during pre-match meetings, officials must check that the needed security arrangements are in place. If security is lacking or not enough, referees are told to inform the State Football Association, the Nigeria Football Federation Referees Committee, and the NFRA immediately.

The referees’ body also asked everyone in Nigerian football to prioritize the safety and well-being of match officials. They warned that they might avoid venues where referees have been attacked before and could turn down appointments for teams linked to attacks on officials.