Independent observers for premier league matches

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Professional League Board (PLB) and representatives of Premier League clubs have agreed on the use of independent observes during league matches in a bid to end the growing spate of violence that has characterized the ABC league.

The independent observes would not be known to neither of the clubs and their reports would carry the same weight as that of referees and match commissioners. The agreement was reached at an emergency meeting organized by the GFA and PLB to find a lasting solution the recent violence that has engulfed the premier league. The meeting identified hooliganism, bad officiating, lack of security and delays in the dispensation of justice by the GFA's disciplinary committee. Mr. Herbert Mensah, Board Chairman of Kumasi Ashanti Kotoko, laid most of blame at the doorsteps of the referee since most of their questionable decisions turn to incite spectators, especially, during away matches. "Some of the referees do not even have good command of the English language and questioned how they could write good reports for decisions to be taken on them. It was also agreed that most of the club officials are not conversant with the rules of the game and said there is the need for seminars to be organized to educate them. On the used of video evidence, the representatives deferred it adding that the independent body should handle it.

The meeting also called for security to be beefed up at violence prone centers to protect visiting teams. On the press, the meeting urged them to be circumspect and fair to all teams and not allow their club affiliations to cloud their writings since these have profound effect on spectators. Mr. Mensah again stressed on the need for dialogue among club chairmen instead of always running to the GFA with petty problems that could easily be solved among themselves.

Present at the meeting were Mr. Worlanyo Agra, General Secretary of the GFA, menders of the PLB and 14 club chairmen and representatives of the Premier clubs.