Sports News of Tuesday, 25 February 2025
Source: www.ghanawebbers.com
Former GHALCA president Kudjoe Fianoo has attributed the declining standards of officiating in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) to delays in paying referees their allowances.
He argued that unpaid referees become vulnerable to external influences, leading to biased officiating.
While acknowledging that officiating has been a long-standing challenge, Fianoo emphasized that referees should not be blamed entirely.
He noted that some officials wait weeks for minimal payments, making them susceptible to corruption.
Additionally, he linked poor officiating to rising hooliganism in Ghanaian football. Many, including Parliamentarians, believe repeated referee errors and suspicions of favoritism contribute to fan unrest and violence.
Fianoo stressed that addressing payment delays and ensuring fair officiating could help restore trust and improve the league's credibility.