City FC has issued a stern rebuttal to allegations of biased officiating made by Coach Bunmi Blair of Family Worship Centre (FWC), following their encounter at the Kaduna centre of the NLO1 promotional playoff.
In a statement released on Monday by the club’s Media Officer, City FC described the accusations as “unfounded” and harmful to both the club’s image and the integrity of the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO1).
The club noted that it had already secured qualification for the next stage with two wins before facing FWC, rendering the claims of partial refereeing “highly questionable”.
Blair had alleged that a penalty awarded in City FC’s favour was “manufactured” – a charge the club strongly refuted, citing a lack of concrete evidence.
City FC also condemned the protest led by Coach Blair, in which FWC players reportedly sat on the turf in defiance of the referee’s decision.
“This sort of behaviour brings the game into disrepute and risks deterring sponsors from supporting the league,” the club’s statement read. “As a respected figure in Nigerian football, Coach Blair should know better.”
The club further called for disciplinary action against Blair, saying his actions could set a dangerous precedent if left unchecked.
“This isn’t just about our club – it’s about protecting the spirit and integrity of Nigerian football,” the statement added.
City FC concluded by reaffirming its commitment to fair play and excellence, vowing not to be distracted by what it termed “baseless allegations”.
