The Central Regional Chairman of Referees Association of Ghana, Michael Atta Dadzie has warned football fans who normally troop to various sports stadia to desist from turning referees into punching bags during and after matches. Mr. Atta Dadzie mentioned that the men of the whistle are normally assigned with responsibilities to ensure smooth matches by appropriately interpreting the rules of the game; so if the fans feel cheated or did not understand anything in the course of the match, there was the need for them to make a report to appropriate quarters instead of beating them.
He cited an instance whereby some referees had to seek protection from the security agencies immediately after a match, and therefore described such situation as very appalling. He gave the warning at the opening of the 2009\2010 annual refresher course for referees at Cape Coast in the Central Region. The four-day course is aimed at evaluating their performances in the 2008\2009 Premier League season and to formulate ways of ensuring a better output in the years ahead.
The chairman expressed concern about the way the Regional Football Association (RFA) owed referees in the region, calling on them to pay their outstanding allowances to enable them give off their best. Mr. Atta Dadzie, who is also a renowned Legal Practitioner, advised the referees to eschew mediocrity and to consult their friends in the discharge of their duties. The Regional Football Association (RFA) Chairman, Mr Matthew Doe attributed the delay in the payment of the referee�s allowances to some clubs owning the RFA.
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