Soccer News of Monday, 25 August 2003

Source: GNA

Referees asked not to accept bribes

Cape Coast, Aug. 25, GNA- Mr Mathew Doe, chairman of the central regional football association, last Saturday urged referees to expose clubs officials who will attempt to bribe them in their desire to win matches at all cost.

He said they should instead be steadfast, adhere to the rules of the game and reject such approaches in order not to drag the name of referees in the mud.

Mr Doe was speaking at the closing ceremony of a three-day refresher course for 50 members of the central region branch of the referees association at the Cape Coast sports stadium.

He stressed that it was important to expose such officials, as they are the very people who will turn round to accuse referees of corruption and poor performance.

Mr Victor Owusu, a spokesman for the referees, pledged that he and his colleagues would endeavour to interpret the rules of the games correctly to ensure fair play.

The participants upgraded their knowledge on the rules of the games and match report writing during the seminar.

In a related development, Mr George Dasoberi, Co-ordinator of the GFA's five- year development plan, has appealed to Central Region match commissioners association to screen its members and weed out the bad nuts among them.

He said reports reaching the GFA, indicates that some match commissioners act as front men to referees and collect bribes from club chairmen to influence the outcome of matches.

Mr Dasoberi, was addressing members of the association at a refresher course to update their knowledge and skills at Cape Coast on Sunday.

Participants were taken through GFA regulations for the Division One League, rules of the game and report writing. 25 Aug.03