Confederations of African Football (CAF) has removed Ghanaian referee Reginald Lathbridge from his designated role as the fourth official in the forthcoming Confederation Cup game between USM Algiers and Young Africans.
Lathbridge was initially appointed to be the fourth official in the CAF Confederation Cup Group D opener between Algerian side USM Algiers and Tanzanian giants Young Africans.
However, the beleaguered official has been dropped by the continent's football governing body after he was handed a lifetime ban by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) last month.
Lathbridge was found to have erred in his match report during the match between Elmina Sharks and Bechem United in week seven of of last season's Ghana Premier League, which resulted in Great Olympics’ court case with the GFA - a move that delayed the start of the league for weeks.
He wrongfully recorded a booking for Bechem United Joseph Amoah instead of Elmina Sharks Felix Addo, which made Amoah ineligible to feature against Hearts of Oak but the player did feature which renders him unqualified.
After seven months, Lathbridge was made to do the correction which caused a delay in the start of the 2017/18 Ghana Premier League as Great Olympics sought redress in the law courts - which they eventually lost.
Referee Reginald Lathbridge at his hearing at the Disciplinary Committee apologised to all stakeholders of the game and admitted the charges.
He has however been replaced by fellow Ghanaian referee Prosper Awontiirim Adii in his stead.
Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea has been appointed as the centre referee for the much anticipated match, and will be assisted by Abel Baba from Nigeria and Ghana’s David Laryea on Line 1 & 2 respectively.
The clash is set for Sunday, May 6, at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962.