Officiating chaos erupts as Ekiti Queens fans rage “shameful” refereeing

...The real threat to our game isn’t fan violence, it’s bad officiating – Ekiti Queens 

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye and Trust Ittai

 

A storm of controversy ripped through Ekiti on MatchDay of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), as questionable officiating ignited fury among fans and officials, leaving Ekiti Queens FC at the heart of one of the season’s most explosive refereeing scandals.

What should have been a routine league fixture descended into chaos after a string of baffling calls from the center referee, decisions so inconsistent that spectators, team officials, and even the match commissioner were forced into the spotlight.

Your authoritative and award winning news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG understands that tension began simmering early, with “questionable calls” repeatedly going against the home side.

The Match Commissioner, who had been sitting in the stands, was urgently called down to the pitch amid rising frustration. She was seen multiple times racing to the touchline, pointing out controversial decisions that left fans and officials bewildered.

The flashpoint came when Edo Queens scored what appeared to be a contentious goal. The assistant referee flagged an infringement against the Ekiti Queens goalkeeper and held her ground. 

But in a stunning twist, the center referee overruled her, allegedly telling the assistant referee, “I am in charge,” before allowing the goal to stand.

Minutes later, Ekiti Queens found the net from a free-kick, only for the same center referee to chalk it off for the exact infringement she had ignored moments earlier.

The contradiction sent the stadium atmosphere spiraling. Angry but non-violent fans hurled sachets of water onto the pitch in protest, forcing security personnel to scramble to restore calm. 

No official was harmed, thanks to swift intervention from club management, who escorted referees to safety before tensions escalated.

In a strongly worded condemnation, a senior club figure described the officiating as “a show of shame,” likening it to one of Nigerian football’s darkest refereeing moments, the infamous 1986 Onikan Stadium incident where a match ended 10 minutes early.

He confirmed personally approaching the match Commissioner to request police reinforcement as tempers flared. 

“The integrity of our referees was put into play today,” he said. “The center referee must be investigated.”

The Ekiti State Sports Management later released a statement distancing the peaceful people of Ekiti from hooliganism, stressing that the unrest was an emotional reaction to “glaring injustices,” not an attack on match officials. 

They emphasized that fans never attempted physical harm and that the club has already extended apologies to the referees at their hotel.

As calls grow louder for the Nigeria Women Football League and the NFF to step in, one thing is clear, this match has opened a fresh debate about the quality and credibility of officiating in domestic football.

For Ekiti Queens, the wounds from this clash may take time to heal. But for the officials involved, scrutiny has just begun.