Refs told to take bribes

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Football referees in Nigeria have been told they can accept bribes.

But they should be sacked if they let the cash - of whatever else they are given - affect their decisions.

Fanny Amun, acting secretary general of the Nigerian Football Association, said refs had always been offered bribes.

"We know match officials are offered money or anything to influence matches and they can accept it," Mr Amun said.

"Referees should only pretend to fall for the bait, but make sure the result doesn't favour those offering the bribe."

Amun first made the statement earlier in the week to a football seminar in the capital Abuja.

Understandably, the suggestion did not go down well amongst other officials.

And the idea is unlikely to catch on in European soccer after a number of recent bribery scandals.

Bribery and corruption is rife in Nigeria. It is constantly rated as one of the world's most corrupt countries.