FIFA referees’ course will improve football in Nigeria – Ameenu

Mohammed Ameenu, a Federation of International Football Association (FIFA)-trained National Technical Instructor on Friday said ongoing course for elite referees would improved the game of football in Nigeria.
Ameenu told  journalists  that the five-day course organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in conjunction with FIFA would move Nigeria football to world standard.
According to him, FIFA has changed the philosophy and the approaches of the game. It has also amended a lot of the sections of the laws.
He said that the course had updated the referees and assessors on current trend which would take effect from June 1.
“It is something of interest to know that it will impact so much on our league system particularly the premier league where most of the elite referees are appointed from,’’ he said.
Ameenu said that one thing that may hinder the new philosophy was lack of awareness by most players and clubs, adding that there was need for them to be conversant with the new trends before its implementation.
He called on NFF to organise refresher courses for other referees, assessors and instructors to ensure that the new rule went down to other leagues.
One of the course participants, Mohammed Saleh from Jigawa Referees Association, said that the course would make him a better referee.
Saleh said that the new off-side techniques he learnt would help to improve his officiating.
NAN recalls that FIFA recently reviewed the rules of football, including the award of penalties from incidents that occur outside the 18-yard-box. The new rules will become effective on June 1. (NAN)