It was clear during the hearning of this case that the referee was not abreast of some of the provisions of the regulations. He explained that he reported that the match did not start on time and that it was delayed for about five minutes due to the fact that the reserve strip for one of the goalkeepers as presented for inspection before kick-off did not conform to Law four of the FIFA Laws of the Game.

 It came to light that the referee did not insist on the application of the provisions under the GFA regulations on strips at the pre-match technical meeting when the clash of colours between the strip of the goalkeeper concerned and the out players of the opposing team became obvious. He asked the goal-keeper to present an alternative goalkeeper’s strip to the officials on the football pitch, thereby transferring the resolution of the clash of jerseys to field of play.

Thus an issue that should have been resolved before the start of the Match Countdown was transferred into another section of the match. This led to a disruption of the match countdown leading to the delay of kick-off of the match. Incidentally, this match was being telecast to viewers and audience internationally.

This did not only bring the game into disrepute but it also put the GFA in danger of violating the contractual obligations towards its television partner. This should be considered as very serious, since the violation can lead to fines, embarrassment and loss of respect and future contracts to the GFA.

Meanwhile the simple duty of the referee was to ensure that the offending goalkeeper was made to comply at least during the inspection of the players in the dressing room. As the proceedings continued during the Disciplinary Committee hearing, the referee became more and better aware of the degree of the seriousness of his inaction and mistake.  He also declared ignorance of the implications of his inaction.

 Indeed, in his Statement of Defence, he did not indicate a reliance on any of the Defence options available to him but simply denied being at fault. He even asserted that the delay was not caused by any of the officials. But this was totally wrong since he could not indicate any action he and his assistants took to insist that the goalkeeper changed completely his shirt or at least wore a beep to ameliorate the colour of the shirt.

He had to plead for leniency which resulted in his getting away with a light punishment of forfeiture of the officiating fee (amount) due him for the match in question. Referees officiating fees have not been published, but rumours have it that it is about Five Hundred Ghana Cedis that is including accommodation, meals and travel. The actual allowance for officiating is about Two Hundred Ghana Cedis.

It is true that this is the first time the issue of a referee trying to ensure that a match kicked off without fail and promptly at the stipulated time, otherwise he could have suffered a fine of GH¢10,000 The lesson is there to be learnt that referees should ENFORCE the laws and regulations of the game religiously. But the pity of this is that league matches are delayed and no official reports are made. And so the offence continues.

All league referees, and indeed the Referees Committee, should ensure a better knowledge of the General Regulations of the GFA. I really doubt if our referees have got copies of this important document. The GFA regulations and the Laws of the Game by FIFA should form the bible of all active referees. It would even be useful to run academic lessons for all referees on the GFA Regulations as is done on the FIFA Laws of the Game.

Additionally, it should be useful to always attract technically knowledgeable persons outside the membership of the Referees Committee, such as the Secretary to the Disciplinary Committee and indeed even the Committee Chairman himself, who, apart from being a lawyer, is very much versed in football laws and regulations governing football. This way, they would be confident and able to handle their matches professionally. The Regulations of the GFA are not designed for only clubs, players and the FA itself. Referees are part and parcel of the game; indeed, they are  strong pillars and component of our football. Our referee in the Kotoko-Hearts Premier League match escaped lightly. The next may not be that lucky. Or indeed, a similar incident can land the entire FA into serious trouble.

Referees are vital parts of the enforcement of the Laws and Regulations governing football. They have to execute the laws. They are not to sympathise with a goalkeeper who perhaps belives a particular shirt or jersey had been ‘ordained’ for a particular match to enable his team not to concede a goal or assist him to be a better last defender for his team. It is not part of a referee’s job to be nice and sympathetic to players. It is his duty to interpret and implement the laws and regulations.

Lack of the knowledge of GFA Regulations and the Statutes have been a major cause of disciplinary cases and the delay in the start of our league seasons. We must do something about this.