The Nigeria Football Federation’s Referee Development Committee has suspended Ayeni Ridwan Olatunji and Abubakar Jimoh from officiating in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The referee’s suspension was announced in a statement signed by Ameenu Mohammed on Thursday.
Olatunji and Jimoh were accused of ignoring a clear penalty incident that met all of the elements of a foul (holding/pulling) under the Laws of the Game in the matchday 24 match between Kwara United FC and Bayelsa United in Ilorin.
The statement reads, “Reference to your decisions that adversely affects not only the outcome of the match between Kwara United FC and Bayelsa United FC played on Sunday, 15th February, 2025 wherein you ignored a glaring penalty incident that fulfilled all requirements of foul (holding/pulling) within the provisions of the Laws of the Game.
“Moreso, the active Assistant Referee failed in his duty to assist his Referee in the situation as the incident materialized after a counter-attack in his area.
“Your actions did not only negatively affect the outcome of the match but equally brings the game to disrepute.