Injuries on the pitch: Kotoko petitions GFA over ‘inhumane’ treatment by referees

Asante Kotoko medical team has written to the Ghana Football Association over the non-nonchalant attitude of referees to injury situations.

The letter described their behaviour as “unprofessional, abhorring” and one that could “threaten the safety and lives of players and officials”.

The letter, dated April 7, 2017 and signed by Head of the Medical Team, Dr. Michael Leat, cited incidents in the Hearts-Kotoko, Medeama-Kotoko matches to back their claim.

“Law 5.3 of the FIFA Laws of the Game, 2016/2017 mandates the referee to stop and remove a seriously injured player from the field of play for treatment” the letter stated.

However in the Hearts-Kotoko match, Referees Samuel Sukah, Eric Nantiere, Salifu Rahman, Joseph Lamptey; and the Match Commissioner, Mike Aniom Okoto surprisingly looked on for four minutes while Michael Akuffu lied on the pitch with a head injury, said the letter.

At the Medeama-Kotoko match, Referees Issaka Awful, Kwasi Brobbey, Rahman Salifu, Maxwell Hanson and the Match Commissioner, M. D. Arthur ignored Michael Akuffu for three minutes after he went down with a “severe chest contusion” which as a result, compelled the medical team to give the midfielder emergency treatment after the first half.

Dr. Michael Leat in his letter termed the actions of the referees as unacceptable and called for investigations and appropriate sanctions plus refresher courses for the referees to avert any fatality in future.