Accra (Greater Accra) -- Alhaji M. N. D. Jawula, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has observed that the educational standards of Ghanaian referees are not the best and urged them to improve on it for the good of the game.

He said in order to present good match reports, there is the need for referees to seek private tuition to improve their lot.

Alhaji Jawula said this when he decorated 18 referees including four times SWAG referee of the year, Alex Quartey, with FIFA badges in Accra on Thursday.

The referees including four ladies were made up of nine middle men and nine assistants.

The GFA boss said "it is never too late to learn" adding that the level of education would to a very large extent, determine the magnitude of CAF matches that a referees can be entrusted with.

He also used the occasion to register his displeasure about the performance of the referee who officiated in last Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations' qualifier between the Black Stars and Congo DR in Kinshasa.

Alhaji Jawula said after watching the clip yesterday, he realised that the referee had made up his mind prior to the commencement of the match to ditch the Stars and said he (referee) intentionally ignored several off-side traps.

He urged the referees to take a cue from that adding that "even if you are bribed try and do the right thing".

The GFA boss called on the referees to ensure that the level of officiating is improved during the 2001 league season scheduled to kick-start in March.

Mr. Y. A. Ibrahim, Chairman, Executive Council of the GFA said hence forth the FIFA badge is no longer going to be automatic, adding that referees who fail to impress in domestic league matches would be relieved of their badges.

He announced that apart from match commissioners, the GFA would place at every league centre, a match observer who would also present a special report.