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FIFA Assistant referee, Peter Egan Edibi has debunked media reports accredited indicating that he is angry with the leadership of the Nigeria Referees Association, NRA, for abandoning him insisting that he never granted such interview.
The report which emanated from Supersport.com stated that Edibi, who is the only Nigerian referee officiating at the ongoing 2013 AFCON in South Africa had been abandoned by the NRA even as his appearance at the tournament will boost the image of the referees association and Nigeria.
However Edibi who has featured at AFCON 2008, 2010 and 2012 said the report is nothing but the figment of the writer’s imagination.
He said he has not been abandoned by the NRA and even if there was such thing, he knows the right channel to follow in addressing it.
Edibi explained that he has a cordial relationship with his association and was shocked to his marrows when he was quoted as saying he has been abandoned by the NRA.
Edibi said apart from causing him very serious embarrassment, the said report was capable of tampering with his concentration on the crucial assignment on ground.
“ I was shocked to read in the media that I said I have been abandoned by the NRA. The report is false in its entirety for I have not granted such interview to anyone. It is a product of the writer’s imagination.
“ I have a very cordial relationship with my association and the football federation. Even if I have issues with any of the bodies, I know how and where to channel such concerns.
“ At my level, I know what to say and what not to say. I am truly shocked by the report and I feel it has been written in bad taste”.
Edibi expatiated that the aspect of the report which embarrassed him most is where he was quoted as praying for the Super Eagles to win in South Africa.
“ As an experienced FIFA graded referee, I don’t need anybody to remind that I must remain impartial at all times. So you can only imagine my shock when I read in that same report that I prayed that Eagles should win the championship. This is not possible”.
The Cross River State born referee who is on the FIFA preliminary list for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil therefore called on all those concerned to disregard the report in its entirety.
“ I urge everyone to disregard the report which has truly traumatized me. I have continued to receive calls and messages from concerned people who want to know if actually I granted such interview”, he said
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