By David Gold
December 30 – Despite having been dead for almost a month, the Nigerian referee Auwalu Barau has been included on a list of officials for 2012 by FIFA.
Barau was included as the Nigerian Football Federation and Nigerian Referees Association both listed him in the hoped he would recover from illness and he cannot now be replaced as FIFA have approved their list for 2012 on which another 31 officials were included.
As a result, FIFA has today published a letter from its President, Sepp Blatter, to Nigeria’s football community, expressing sorrow at Barau’s death.
Blatter said: “On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide family of football, I wish to extend our condolences to you, to the Nigeria football community and, most importantly, to Mr Awalu Barau’s family, friends and loved ones.
“Please let them know that today the football community stands by their side.
“We would hope that in some way, our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness to you all.”
Barau is sadly best remembered for being beaten up, along with the referee of the match and another assistant, by Enyimba supporters after a 1-1 draw with rivals Heartland FC.
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