Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Tony Elumelu has called on FIFA to raise the standard of officiating at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that continued poor refereeing could affect the credibility of the game.
In a post shared on his verified X account on Friday, Elumelu commended the African teams that participated in the tournament, saying their performances highlighted the progress and potential of football on the continent.
“Well done to all the African countries that represented our continent at the World Cup. You made Africa proud and showed the world what African football is capable of,” he wrote.
However, the chairman of Heirs Holdings raised concerns about the quality of refereeing at the competition and appealed to FIFA to take steps to address the issue.
“But @FIFAWorldCup needs to improve the standard of refereeing because if poor officiating continues, it will damage the game,” Elumelu stated.
He also congratulated the African teams for their efforts and contributions to the tournament.
“Congratulations once again to every African team.”