Abuja — The Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Nigeria National League has expressed worry over the barbaric and unsportmanly behaviour of some football administrators and fans who have resorted to assaulting match officials.

Scribe of the National League, Ayo Abdulrahman told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY SPORTS that the Nigeria Football Federation and the league body will no longer tolerate any situation in which a match official is beaten up by club officials for allowing an equalising goal, noting that an end must be put to the win-at-all-cost syndrome.

Abdulrahman disclosed to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY SPORTS that the welfare officer of FC Lokoja, Baba Ali have been suspended for assaulting Justin Takyum, the centre referee that handled FC Lokoja's Week 11 match against Dalatu in Lokoja.

"The match ended one-all draw in Lokoja but Baba Ali, the welfare officer of the club had to beat up the centre referee for allowing Dalatu to score an equaliser. This is the height of irresponsibility in football. This is unacceptable and will not be allowed to continue. As a pro-active measure, the league body have suspended Baba Ali, the welfare officer of FC Lokoja, pending the indeterminate determination of his case by the Nigeria Football Federation Organising and Disciplinary Committee."

He disclosed that Plateau United, Mighty Jets and JUTH are now free to play their outstanding matches postponed due to the religious crisis that engulfed Jos in January.