Two referees banned from Premier League

Accra, April 6, GNA - The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has banned two referees from officiating the remainder of the 2008/2009 Glo Premier League for poor performances.

The duo are referees N.A.T. Plange of Accra and Yakubu Nuhu Liman of Wa who were said to have performed abysmally in their respective matches, hence their suspension after a critical review by the Referees Committee.

A statement signed by Emmanuel Gyimah, Deputy General Secretary of the GFA copied to GNA Sports said the two match officials will never taste action as far as the remaining matches of the season is concerned. Mr Gyimah explained that Plange who was at the centre of the Eleven Wise-Bechem Chelsea Week 8 clash at the Essipong Stadium, Sekondi on January 25 performed poorly in the match whilst Liman failed to apply his knowledge on player management and psychology of refereeing during the Hearts-Hasaacas Week 12 clash at the Ohene Djan stadium in Accra on March 15.

Ho-based referee Solomon Morday has also been suspended for five matches for performing below average during the Tema Youth-Hearts of Oak Week 11 clash at the Tema Sports stadium on March 11.

Meanwhile, the GFA has cautioned three other referees; Kofi Antwi of Tema, Kennedy Bentsil of Cape Coast and Sunyani-based Yaw Ametepe and urged them to improve on their work-rate or face the necessary sanctions.

Antwi who handled the Sporting Mirren-Eleven Wise Week 7 clash at the ohene Djan sports stadium in Accra on January 19 has been advised to improve on his knowledge of psychology of refereeing, as well as Ametepe and Bentsil.

Ametepe was in charge of the Hearts-Ashantigold Week 10 clash in Accra whilst Bentsil handled the Hasaacas-Ashantigold Week 11 clash at Essipong stadium, near Sekondi.

The latest action by the GFA forms part of efforts aimed at phasing out under-performing match officials, whose actions often drag the image of the Association into disrepute.