The Nigeria Referees’ Association (NRA) on Friday threatened to take legal action against any individual or groups of persons that harasses any referee in the course of their duties.
The NRA’s President, Ahmed Maude, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that referees should be allowed to do their job without let or hindrance.
Maude also appealed to the League Management Company (LMC) to ensure that referees were paid their indemnities as at when due.
“In the first stanza you will realise that we had lots of away victories even in the face of fans hostility, match officials should be encouraged in all ramification.
“We want the LMC to do more in this regard, also paying referees indemnities is essential for our welfare, and probably a review of officiating fee.
“And LMC has given us the go ahead whoever beats up our referees will go to court, we intend to curb this menace.
“And we need to beef up security at match venues before the second stanza kicks off,’’ Maude said.
NAN reports that the 2012/2013 season is currently on a two-week break, after the conclusion of the first stanza on June 16.
In terms of the fitness level of the referees, the NRA president told NAN that the association would use the break period to organise fitness training before the second stanza resumes.
“Come June 26 we will organise a training workshop for our referees to check their fitness if they are fit to officiate and after Ramadan we shall have more of such training.
“The first day will be for medicals and the second day will be for fitness.
“We are also optimistic that FIFA will have some programmes lined up for referees,’’ the NRA chairman added.
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