Nigeria Premier League referees to use communication technology next season

Nigeria Premier League officials will use radio communication technology next season.

The wireless communication system helps referees give more accurate decisions through immediate communication with assistant referees and the fourth official.

It creates a situation where the referees are constantly in contact with each other and able to communicate about all crucial decisions during a match.

NFF chairman Ibrahim Gusau, during the Nigeria Premier League Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja on Tuesday, revealed that the technology would be in use in the 2024-25 league season.

The NFF boss said: “We have concluded the procurement of communication gadgets that can minimise errors, and these will be available for the new season.”

Gusau also disclosed that the NFF would, in collaboration with international partners, train referees on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

The 2024-25 NPFL season is scheduled to begin on August 31 with champions Enugu Rangers taking on Elkanemi Warriors at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, while the rest of round 1 fixtures will be played the following week.

While all round 1 fixtures have been released, all other matchdays fixtures have been kept from the public.

Gusau hinted that the other matchdays fixtures would not be made public until the league body arrives at a fixture calendar that would least likely lead to postponements — something that marred last season.

“Last season, we had challenges with fixtures. We have to keep the fixtures. You shouldn’t make the fixtures public until everything is in order. We must keep to it. There shouldn’t be accumulated fixtures again. No postponement of matches.

“We must keep to the fixtures from the beginning to the end of the season. When drawing up the fixtures, you must take into consideration other competitions like the Federation Cup. With your cooperation, we would achieve this. By the grace of God, we would make a lot of changes.”