Nigerian Soccer Refs Told Bribes Shouldn’t Influence Decisions

Truth is stranger than fiction, and in this case, it is stranger than science fiction. The soccer powers that be in Nigeria have told the referees in the Nigerian Football Association that they may accept bribes from teams, but they shouldn’t let the bribes influence their decisions on the field. This is unconscionable.

Nigeria is potentially the richest country in Africa, South Africa included, because it is awash in oil. However, Nigerian society has a streak of corruption running through it would shock Tony Soprano. Soccer, and other sports, are good reflections of the culture in which it is played. Acting Secretary-General of the NFA, Fanny Amun, said in a Reuters interview, that bribery was common in Nigerian soccer, just as it is in business.

Rather than crack down on officials, teams and fans engaged in such corrupt practices, however, he has suggested a novel way to deal with the problem. “We know match officials are offered money or anything to influence matches and they can accept it.” Then he added, “Referees should only pretend to fall for the bait, but make sure the result doesn’t favor those offering the bribe.”

Oddly, this just might work. After all, what is the point of bribing someone if he doesn’t actually let the bribe influence him? Once enough people see that the cash, cars and trips to Europe aren’t reducing the red cards, disallowed goals or the questionable amounts of injury time, the general futility of bribery will cause them to cease. After all, if the ref is going to make a call against the home team no matter what price he’s accepted, there’s no point in coughing up any more.

Effective as this might be, it does raise the question of ethics. After all, offering a bribe is immoral. Accepting a bribe is as well. And reneging on a deal isn’t ethic either. That’s what US Financier and politico Simon Cameron meant in the 19th century when he said, “An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought.” Same goes for referees.

© Copyright 2006 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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