The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has suspended referee Adebayo Qudus indefinitely following a series of contentious decisions during a Nigeria National League match between Gateway United and Sporting Lagos.
The NFF’s Refereeing Development Committee, in a letter obtained by The PUNCH, stated that Qudus breached the Laws of the Game during the matchday 19 fixture, which took place on Saturday at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode.
According to the committee, Qudus awarded Gateway United an “unjustified penalty” and made “several other decisions” that called into question the fairness of the officiating.
The letter, issued through the Oyo State Football Association, said his actions compromised the principles of fair play and damaged the integrity of the game.
“Your actions and performances did not only negatively affect the integrity of refereeing, but equally brought the game to disrepute,” the letter read.
“You have been suspended indefinitely and with immediate effect from refereeing entirely.”
Although Gateway United won the match 2–1, the game was marred by multiple controversial calls.
One of the key incidents involved Sporting Lagos striker Seun Akanji, whose goal was disallowed despite the assistant referee indicating it had stood by running toward the centre circle.
Akanji was then shown a yellow card.
Shortly after, Akanji found the net again, but the referee blew the whistle mid-play and issued him a second yellow card, resulting in a red. In both instances, the assistant referee had not flagged for offside.