Ray Quarcoo
Goodwill sports ambassador Ray Quarcoo has reiterated the need for high level officiating especially on the African continent.
The former Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) president has been a campaigner of good officiating for decades following the falling standards in officiating in recent past and currently. Especially in the area of Boxing and Soccer.
He cited the just-ended African Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted in Morocco where the performance of some referees stoked debate as a classical example.
Why Officiating Standards Are Under Scrutiny
– Repetition of Basic Errors: The same mistakes – poor foul recognition, inconsistent carding, and questionable VAR use – keep recurring across tournaments.
– Impact on Players & Fans: Players lose confidence in fairness, while fans question the credibility of African football.
– Global Consequences: Weak officiating at continental level undermines African teams’ ability to compete at the World Cup and Olympic Games, where refereeing standards are stricter.
The former Black Stars management member said in a post-tournament ” You know I have been preaching about good officiating in all sporting disciplines for many years, but we keep with nursing say mistakes buy some referees”
– He has advocated for good officiating for decades, across both boxing and soccer.
– He believes referees are not learning or improving, despite repeated exposure to international standards.
– He calls for CAF and FIFA to punish errant referees, to protect the reputation of African sport.
– His warning: “The continent will be the loser in the end especially at the world stage.”
Risks:
– Loss of credibility for CAF tournaments.
– Reduced fan trust and sponsorship interest.
– African teams disadvantaged at global competitions.
Recommendations:
– Referee Education: Continuous training and exposure to international standards.
– Accountability: CAF/FIFA should suspend or demote referees who repeatedly err.
– Technology Use: VAR protocols must be standardized and transparent.
– Mentorship: Senior referees should mentor younger officials to instill discipline and consistency.
” When our referees live up to expectation, then our teams do not have to struggle when they get to the world stage.”
Senegal (The Teranga Lions) defeated host, Morocco (Atlas Lions) 1-0 to win the competition in extra time.