Joseph Ogabor
NPFL A Nigerian referee has been banned for one whole year, after he was found out to have tried manipulating a match. The Referees Committee of the Confederation of African Football
(CAF) has confirmed the recommendation of its Disciplinary Board to ban
Nigeria referee, Joseph Ogabor, from any official mission for one year
over attempted match manipulation, it has been revealed.
A statement on CAF website on Sunday said this was with respect to
the Total CAF Confederation Cup 1/16th round first leg between Plateau
United (Nigeria) and USM Alger (Algeria) played on April 7, 2018, in
Lagos.
The decision follows investigations conducted and evidence
submitted by the South African match officials of the match who were
contacted by Ogabor to provide “technical assistance” to the Nigerian team.
Plateau United was also cautioned to refrain from the practice of hospitality gifts which tend to create wrong impression.
In a related development, the South African Football Association
has been ordered to tender an apology to the Nigeria Football Federation
(NFF).
This was after investigations proved that there was no evidence of
any official of the NFF being linked to an allegation of US$30,000
bribe.