Speaking at a press conference in Ikenne, Ogun State, Soname emphasized that recurring refereeing controversies are eroding trust in the domestic league. He argued that attracting sponsors and fans is impossible when the integrity of match results is regularly questioned.
“I am not here today as the owner of a club, but as a stakeholder deeply invested in the credibility and future of our game,” Soname stated.
His proposal centers on the creation of an independent weekly review panel to assess referees’ performances using clear, published criteria. He also advocates for consistent live television coverage to increase transparency, improved training for officials, and meaningful sanctions for repeated poor performances.
To further ensure accountability, Soname suggested that football authorities welcome oversight from national anti-corruption agencies. He linked the decline in domestic officiating standards to Nigeria’s absence from elite continental tournaments, noting that no Nigerian referee has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations in 17 years.
Soname, who founded the major sports betting platform Bet9ja, cited specific match incidents he has compiled and shared with league authorities as evidence of a systemic problem needing urgent address.
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