One hundred and thirty three referees failed a physical fitness test conducted by the referees unit of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), the Head of the unit, Sunday Okayi, said on Thursday.
Okayi disclosed that 13 others were disqualified.
The 2013 edition of the yearly test was held at the National Stadium, Abuja, from November 4 to 8.
The test, organised by the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), was to ascertain the fitness level of their members ahead of a new season.
Okayi, however, explained that the result was coming late to avoid a repeat of conflicting results of the 2012 fitness test.
“We have to take our time to compile this result because of what happened after the 2012 fitness test. There were complaints over the results we released last year, with some of the disqualified and failed referees coming up with accusations and we do not want a repeat of such this year,” he said.
“But, apart from collation, it was almost immediately after the fitness test that we held the FIFA Member Association course, so we did not have much time.”
593 referees took the test.