NPFL: Sporting Lagos coach Buter hits out at refereeing following derby draw against Ikorodu City

Sporting Lagos boss Jeffrey Buter has once again called out the officiating in the NPFL after his side were held to a 0-0 draw by Ikorodu City in the Lagos Derby.

Buter has been openly critical of referees in recent matches, having earlier described the officiating in Sporting Lagos’ 1-1 draw with Barau FC as the poorest he’s witnessed this season.

"I will not say anything about the referees. The only thing I'll say is, the NRA and the league board, they know what they are doing. And if they think they'll frustrate us into not playing, it's a lie; we will keep playing.

He also responded to suggestions that his comments were bringing the league into disrepute.

“They say I'm bringing the league to disrepute. The referees are bringing the league into disrepute, not me. If they are not going to fix it, the league is not going to go anywhere. But for us, we'll keep playing; we'll keep fighting against everything that they throw at us.

The coach also insisted his side will maintain their fighting spirit despite everything thrown at them.

“This is not the first time; this is back-to-back games. They issued me a warning; nothing has been issued to the referees, and we keep suffering it. Oh, Sporting Lagos, they have to keep quiet, but no, we cannot continue like this. Everybody in the stadium saw it. So if they want us to keep playing like this, don't worry, we'll keep showing up for the games, and we'll keep fighting.

We are going to keep playing. Every time I say, if we play our games, we are going to beat anybody. So anything they throw at us, we'll keep fighting. Like today again, we fought. Last game, we fought. We all know what is going on in the league; everybody watching knows what is going on. But for us, we will keep playing and keep looking to get better.”