The General Secretary of Lagos State Football Referees Association, Dele Atoun has sent out a strong appeal that Super Eagles’ captain, William Troost-Ekong should not be punished for the Nigerian national team’s recent boycott of training in Rabat, Morocco.
Atoun gave the appeal while speaking as the special guest during ‘Inside Naija Sports,’ a live streaming programme that is broadcast via YouTube at 2:15pm every Friday from the television studio of Sports247 Naija.
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While airing his views on various topical matters, the Lagos State referees’ scribe admitted that the boycott of training by the Eagles’ players was ill-timed, but advised that it should be considered as something that is now in the past.
Atoun further pointed out that Ekong might not have been in support of the boycott, which some observers believe was actually instigated by the team’s backroom staff, then pointed out that the centre back had to tag along as captain of the squad.
“Ekong, as an individual, may not be in support of the boycott and the process. It’s just that he’s the captain of the team; but I don’t want to agree that he should be the scapegoat.
“As it were, the truth is that he cannot come out in public and say, ‘I’m not in support of this action.’ He’s the leader of the squad and has to take up that responsibility,’ Atoun pointed out.
The fair-skinned referee, who is also a media practitioner and communications expert, added that Ekong had to balance his personal ideas with managing a joint decision arrived at by the entire team, and the Al-Kholood of Saudi Arabia defender should not be singled out for blame.
“He’s the leader of millionaires. People who are seen as big stars all over the world. We all must know that it would be very difficult to control this set of people.
“So, I don’t think Nigeria should be looking out for a scapegoat in this situation. We should let bygone be bygone and do what can forestall such from happening again, in the future” the amiable arbiter averred.
Atoun concluded by admitting that boycott of training is not new to the various Nigerian national teams, but reasoned further that the root cause of such issues should be addressed instead of singling out each captain to bear the brunt of punishment.
“It’s becoming a pattern in all our national teams, but that does not mean we should be looking out for a scapegoat anytime it occurs. Let’s face the issues that lead to such protests,” Atoun submitted.
