Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers / NFF
NFF Suspends Assistant Referee Over Disallowed Doma United Goal

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has indefinitely suspended Assistant Referee Yakubu Aliyu for his role in disallowing a legitimate goal scored by Doma United against Enyimba.

Aliyu, who is based in Jigawa and served as Assistant Referee 1 during the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 3 fixture, was found to have failed to apply the offside guidelines and the wait-and-see protocol.

According to a letter signed by Mohammed Ameenu, Secretary of the NFF Refereeing Development Committee and Head of its Refereeing Development Unit, the official’s error led to the cancellation of what the committee described as a “validly scored goal.”

The letter stated that his decision affected the scoreline and outcome of the match and brought “Refereeing and the game in Nigeria into disrepute.”

As a result, the committee resolved that Aliyu should be stepped down from the league and all other refereeing activities, and delisted from the 2026/2027 list of NPFL Referees and Assistant Referees.

The incident occurred during Doma United’s 2-0 win over Enyimba, a victory that preserved the Savannah Tigers’ perfect start to the 2026/27 NPFL season with nine points from three matches. Sadiq Rilwan opened scoring just after the half-hour mark before Yusuf Fantami sealed the win with 20 minutes left.

The suspension is the latest disciplinary action by the NFF to enforce refereeing standards in the NPFL.
Source: Punch Newspapers