It is only a fool who does the same things and expect different results, our elders say. The Ghana Premier League Franchise has been in existence since 1958, five full years before the commencement of the German Bundesliga (1963). It has churned out some of the finest players and coaches ever to have graced the beautiful game. Charles Kumi Gyamfi(3-time AFCON winning gaffer) Aggrey Fynn(skipper of the 1963 Cup of Nations winning squad, Ibrahim Sunday(African footballer of the year in 1971), Abdul Razak(African footballer of the year in 1978), strikers Opoku Afriyie and George Alhassan of the 1978 and 1982 AFCON winning teams. Oh how could I have forgotten to add the likes of Edward Acquah, Abedi Ayew, the fine central defender Kuuku Dadzie and the list goes on.If a franchise produces such players, then it has got to be a very good one. These stars and many more were a colossus locally and on the continent. Their names sent shivers down the spine of many an opponent. Four times, we were champions of Africa with some of these players. Kotoko, Hearts Oak and Goldfields (in the 90’s) represented us strongly on the continent. These memories for those of you that passionate about the local game would long relish that. It’s not the case anymore. We churning out players who would only pass as average emanating from a league bedeviled with alleged match fixing, officiating blues and nepotism.
I have had the privileged opportunity of seeing as many games over the years as a fan and a journo. The experiences have been humbling. These days, I get to see more on Television courtesy the opportunity given me by Mr George Lomotey and Madam Edwina Oppong on Ghana Television. I get to see as many live games and most importantly a closer scrutiny of the match officials. Human as they are, an odd mistake at the office is pretty much understandable. What is difficult to comprehend though has been this wanton abuse by some notorious and highly inefficient bunch of “criminals” posing as knights of the whistle. How these “gentlemen” literally dissipate the Fair play mantra by FIFA is all too alarming. Sometimes one wonders whether they even go through any performance exams to check their readiness to deal with the expectations of all stakeholders.
I can understand how the commercialization of the sport from the amateurish ranks of yesteryears have made millionaires overnight and how some of these crooks relish their own opportunities. The sad epistle involving a referee with as much as GHC 4,000.00 in his socks was startling until banned FIFA referee Lamptey stole the show with his mind boggling acts in the South Africa-Senegal game. His charge sheet is a whole thesis altogether.
This ridiculous stance by the shameful elements who insist the “bribes” are mere gifts smacks of the polluted state of the game in the country. How do the FA or the PLB expect a match official who is virtually ‘catered’ for by the home team expect these same officials to put in a fair performance? It’s baffling to say the least. There is a hardly a week that goes by without fans and officials not complaining about the acts of these crooks parading as match officials. That some venues have virtually become no go areas should get administrators of the game that worried. This nonsense of being ‘pushed’ by club officials to accept these ‘gifts’ is totally unacceptable. Integrity is key in any business venture and the Premier League is not an exception. What prevents them from rejecting these offers when they are made? Are they so juicy to turn down?
The structure operated in Ghana with regards to the league does not help matters. The operators themselves have their own ties with all competing clubs which invariably means their hands are tied when it comes to taking the bold decisions. Yes a few of them have been suspended for their poor performances on matchdays but have they been severe enough to nip this canker in the bud?
Tema Youth head coach Edward Nii Odoom over the weekend made some startling revelations of bribery fingering his own side as victims of the act. Speaking on Hot FM in Accra, Nii Odoom emphatically stated that his club is not exempted from the corrupt practices. Hear him.
“Clubs (including Tema Youth) have always influenced referees in our league and that why some of us will not continue coaching any premier league side again at the end of this season. How can you prepare your team and put them into good condition, just for a referee to cheat you and rob you in the name of favoring your opponent? This is really bad and must be uprooted from our league.”
Nii Odoom's allegation comes weeks after President of Amidaus Professionals, Baba Gedo boldly revealed on Happy FM in Accra that he has been paying bribes to referees to influence matches in his favour.
One can imagine the kind of sanctions that would have been meted out to any administrator or club official in any serious jurisdiction. It would have been swift. Odooms’ club President made worse comments on air following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the World Cup. Why won’t he do same with the knowledge that absolutely nothing would be done about his comment?
As for the Ethics Committee, they are surely not doing enough. Why they fail to invite individuals who hurt the brand with such vitriolic statements is worrying. These acts would not be tolerated anywhere as the lives of several people depend on the success of the product. From the waakye seller on matchdays to the existing and potential sponsors, these comments simply mean their businesses are likely to suffer. For as long as the game is played in such a nonchalant environment, our players would be heading to Sudan, Vietnam, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Laos, India, Afghanistan and more to make ends meet. No serious brand would attach itself to a product with such negativity.
And what a time for these match officials and administrators to make some good money with as many as eight clubs uncertain of their Premier League status come next season. It could be two of Berekum Chelsea, Elmina Sharks, Inter Allies, Ashgold, Liberty, Tema youth, Bechem United, Tema Youth and Great Olympics joining Bolga All Stars in Division One. My brother and GPL expert Akyereko Frimping Manso has long revealed to me the clubs that would beat the drop and those to play in the Division One next season. We would see what happens come this Sunday.
Thanks for doing the reading.
The writer is Kwame Dwomoh-Agyemang, Sports Editor at Class 91.3, Accra.
Source: classfmonline.com
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