The Blind Pass: A weekly feature on the Ghana Premier League - Center men now recipes of controversy

Published on: 06 October 2017
The Blind Pass: A weekly feature on the Ghana Premier League - Center men now recipes of controversy
Referees

League action returned in midweek after a month break at all the centres. Aduana Stars edged out West Africa Football Academy narrowly in the crunch title decider to inch closer to their second league title.

Derrick Sasraku’s second half strike was the difference at the Nana Agyeman Badu park in Dormaa between first and second placed.

Referee Yaw Ametepe starred in Wa as champions All Stars beat Hearts of Oak by 2 goals to 1. Samudeen Ibrahim with his first ever competitive goal put Hearts in front but a Robin Gnagne own goal and David Abagna’s spot kick overturned the scores.

Berekum Chelsea’s home form was on show as they accounted for their regional rivals Bechem United in a 2-0 victory. Randolph Akwesi Nti and Stephen Amankonah got the goals for the home specialists.

Ebusua Dwarfs came from a goal down to beat Inter Allies by 3 goals to 1 at the Cape Coast stadium. Joseph Esso’s goal and a Joseph Mensah brace cancelled out Chekezie Alozie’s opener to push Inter Allies into the drop zone.

Elmina Sharks sent relegation shivers down the spines of Tema Youth sympathizers as they stunned the Tema based club at their own backyard by 2 goals to nothing. Benjamin Tweneboah and Felix Addo were on hand to do the damage as Sharks swooped maximum points.

Great Olympics dealt their chances of survival a flicker of hope by beating already relegated Bolga All Stars by 4 goals to 2. Kwame Boateng, Maxwell Quaye and Kaplaka Guantohou were on the scoresheet for Olympics whilst Ibrahim Giyasu and Mohammed Naeem got the consolation goals for All Stars.

Asante Kotoko survived a home defeat through a contentious penalty converted by Saddick Adams in the dying embers of their game against Ashanti Gold SC. Hans Kwofie put the visitors in front on the stroke of half but parity was restored in the 86th minute to leave it all squared.

The Bernards stole the show in Tarkwa as Liberty Professionals recorded a shock 2-1 score line over Medeama SC. Bernard Arthur scored from the spot to win it for Liberty in the 70th minute after his first was cancelled out by Bernard Ofori in the first half.

CENTRE MEN NOW RECIPES OF CONTROVERSY.

Supposed men of intergrity who have the core duty of interpreting rules and enforcing them on the field to ensure parity and fairness have rather turned into idols of blatant bias terrorizing teams at will.

Much as genuine mistakes are inevitable as a result of split second decisions under extremely tedious conditions, the actions and inactions of some referees have left much to be desired and rather tainted the game.

From dubious in game calls to condoning unacceptable theatrics from sides they sort to favour, some referees have single handedly turned games on its head and decided them to suit their preference. As if the life ban imposed on renowned referee Joseph Lamptey was not deterrent enough, some referees have consistently persisted in their con ways to the detriment of the local game.

Just this match week names of referees Prosper Addi and Yaw Ametepe have come up for all the wrong reasons. Whereas the former was heavily accused of awarding a dubious penalty, the latter was involved in sending off a player for allegedly the most bizarre of reasons and subsequently awarding a contentious penalty as well.

It remains to be seen if these individuals will be allowed to walk or investigated and stringent sanctions applied if found guilty.

That said, have sanctions been applied in the best possible way or it is a case of resorting to outmoded ones which aren’t deterrent enough?

Is there a cartel of notorious referees who will defy anything just advance their parochial interests?

Well, the earlier this pertinacious canker is dealt with the better for our game.

By: Kwame Owusu Ansah

Twitter: @Totti_er_pupone

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