Henry Asante Twum
The continuous controversial decisions from referees in the Ghana Premiere League cannot be overlooked since it is becoming a major concern for many stakeholders in the domestic football industry.
At a time where fans are being called to fill the various league centres, the knights of the whistle have become a constant factor in taking away soccer loving fans from attending matches.
But the blame has been attributed to the Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ ‘Number 12’ exposé, says the Head of Communication of the Ghana Football Association, Henry Asante Twum.
Speaking on GUIDE RADIO’s Saturday morning show, ‘Kick Off’ with B.O.B, Asante Twum put the blame on Anas’ Number 12 exposé for taking down all the experienced referees from the game.
But has assured fans of the continuous effort of the FA in collaboration with the Referees Association of Ghana to organise periodic courses to improve the level of refereeing in Ghana.
The league has continued to have controversial decisions from referees, with notable ones being games between Bibiani Gold Stars and Asante Kotoko, Karela United and Kotoko, Hearts of Oak and Legon Cities.
Referee Alex Akumatey recently rendered an unqualified apology to Kotoko after awarding Gold Stars a penalty, where the ball clearly hit the hand of Gold Stars player after TV replays.
It is not surprising to see our referees being invited to be part of refereeing at FIFA and CAF organised football competitions.
The country can only boast of Daniel Laryea and Kwasi Brobbey Acheampong, who have been officiating a few matches at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) level, with the most recent being the just ended Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2023) in Algeria.
By: Ben Osei Bonsu