Former Super Eagles Captain Makes Controversial Statement About Referees Ahead of 2022 FIFA World Cup

• Austine Jay-Jay Okocha has revealed he expects referees at the 2022 FIFA World Cup to make several errors in the competition
• Okocha says he expects the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to be more functional to spot errors made by the referees at the World Cup
• Okocha was present as one of the FIFA legends who conducted the draws for the group stages of the World Cup in Qatar

Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has put the spotlight on referees at the 2022 FIFA World Cup months before the start of the biggest international football competition kicks off in Qatar.

The Super Eagles legend believes referees selected to officiate at the World Cup are bound to make several errors at Qatar 2022.

According to a report via Complete Sports, Okocha however believes with the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at the World Cup, those errors can easily be checkmated.

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"There is a structure capable of seeing better than us and sanctioning. The VAR has challenged the referee, which means that there is a fault.

“We all watched that same game. We saw the offsides, the heads accompanied by the hands. Maradona called it the hand of God. Nowadays, the VAR is the laser that sanctions.

“The real mistakes made on purpose await you at the World Cup in Qatar; where will you file your complaints?”

Okocha made the comments following Algeria's request to have their World Cup play-offs the second leg against Cameroon replayed due to some key refereeing errors.

Okocha disappointed with Algeria coach Belmadi

Meanwhile, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has expressed his disappointment at the attitude of Algeria coach, Djamel Belmadi following the Desert Foxes' ouster from the World Cup.

According to Goal, Belmadi had openly criticized referee Bakary Papa Gassama for "poor officiating" in the 2-1 second leg 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cameroon.

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Algeria were eliminated from the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the away goals rule despite winning 1-0 in Douala against the Indomitable Lions.

Nigeria legend glitters on World Cup draw stage

Earlier, Sports Brief reported former Nigeria captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha was spot on during the World Cup draw on Friday, April 1, 2022, at the Doha Exhibition Center.

The ex-Super Eagles star was shining in his stylish suit as he assisted in the draw ahead of the FIFA World Cup later this year.

In photos posted on Twitter, Okocha was looking amazing and sharp as he walked onto the stage to conduct the draw with fellow legends of the game.