By Nelson Dafe, Benin City on May 16, 2018

The hue and cry that have greeted some controversial performances of Edo State-based referees in state football competitions in general and the ongoing Edo FA Cup in particular have pitted sentiments in many quarters against the state’s FA on whose shoulders the burden of organising major football competitions in the state lie.

The accusations against the FA run the gamut of perceived bias in favor of some clubs, to an inability to rein in on the excesses of some match officials who have put in inconsistent and unconvincing displays in competitions.

However there are stakeholders who are sympathetic to the Edo FA as they go navigate the tough job of bringing credibility to football competitions in the state.

There’s an acknowledgement that the state’s FA are at least listening to complaints and are trying hard on how to ensure fair play is the order of the day in the area of officiating.

A coach of one of the best and well-known Benin-based grassroots clubs Shola FC, Chinedu Uba, has praised the efforts of the present members of the Edo FA in ensuring the good growth of football in the state.

“The (Edo) FA are putting their best in football, so far so good this current FA board is the best.”

Also, a manager of Dynamo FC, a grassroots club that has been responsible for linking top football agents from around the world to Edo state also absolves the Edo FA from blame concerning perceived poor officiating.

He said: “I can tell you there’s no connivance between the Edo FA and referees to cheat. I could see the pains in the faces of some board members of the FA when a particular referee was performing poorly.”

Another grassroots club coach stated: “We should know that Edo FA do not appoint match officials (Referees). Match officials appointment is done by Nigeria Referee Association (NRA) Edo State chapter. Edo FA do not even know how referees are appointed for matches. But, Edo FA have talked to the NRA about this.”

Meanwhile a member of the FA assures that complaints from some clubs over officiating are being treated with utmost seriousness.

He stated that the FA have communicated with the NRA (the body in charge of referees) about the complaints made so far about the performance of some referees and that any referee found wanting will not be allowed to officiate in the FA Cup.

“My prayer is that one day, we will correct all this saga concerning officiating and this will be achieved by us all, not only the FA,” he said.

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 16, 2018

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