The management of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin has described as baseless, unfair and unsportsmanly the claims by Akwa United that team lost the Week 10 fixture of the Nigeria Premier League to poor officiating.
The Kwara United Media Officer, Olayioye Ajide, in a statement said the officials of Akwa United FC should learn to play the game of football according to the rules.
Ajide stated that Akwa United players tried to play a fast one on the referees during the injury time of the game when they had a corner kick, but the assistant referee, Aminu Adamu, insisted that the rules must be obeyed by drawing the attention of the centre referee to the improper placement of the ball before it was played.
“I cannot imagine Akwa United claiming that the centre referee won the match for Kwara United,whereas the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors and was stern on the players of Kwara United. Adamu Jega did not give undue advantage to Kwara United, but blew the match 50-50,” Olayioye stressed.
The Kwara United spokesman added that resorting to foul cry should be stopped and clubs should imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and accept match results in good faith to make Nigeria football grow.
Olayioye noted that the Nigerian league this season has witnessed improvement, which manifested in away draws and wins. “The NPL and referees should be commended for providing enabling atmosphere for good game.”
The media officer observed that Kwara United has drawn two matches at home without any protest, even as he stressed that football lovers in the state would always support good football.