Chairman of Remo Stars Football Club, Hon Kunle Soname.

Chairman of Remo Stars Football Club, Kunle Soname has launched a strong criticism of officiating in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Soname calls for referees involved in what he described as clear and obvious errors this ongoing season to be held accountable and demoted.

Speaking to the media at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne, Soname said the club’s concerns were driven by repeated decisions that have, in his view, tilted matches unfairly.

Remo Stars currently sit 16th on the NPFL table, one place and one point above Barau FC in the first relegation spot, a sharp contrast to last season when they lifted the league title.

Soname referenced several incidents this campaign, including a recent game against Ikorodu City, the matchday 18 fixture involving Remo Stars and Insurance, and video footage from the Barau and Shooting Stars encounter, all of which he said highlighted inconsistencies in refereeing decisions.

He insisted that the issue was not a blanket attack on referees but a demand for accountability and consistency.

Soname said the problem often lies in repeated marginal decisions favouring one side.

He stressed that fairness was fundamental to the growth of Nigerian football, saying the better teams will win and that is how football can develop and grow in this country.

He was also keen to distance his comments from what he described as a misdirected attack on the Nigeria Football Federation.

According to Soname, responsibility must be shared between match officials and those who appoint them.

He called on the federation to ensure the right people oversee officiating.

Soname also rejected suggestions that Remo Stars had benefited from refereeing favouritism in the past, particularly during their title-winning campaign.

Beyond officiating, Soname highlighted the broader financial realities of Nigerian football, noting that most clubs operate at a loss.

He explained that Remo Stars rely heavily on their academy model to sustain the club.

However, he argued that financial strength should be expressed through squad building rather than manipulation.

He concluded by reiterating his demand for structural reform in officiating, insisting that only fairness on the pitch would allow Nigerian football to reach its potential.