The league must end well

The current Premier League has finally taken shape with the league table now showing which teams can win and the likely ones to be relegated, although a few areas are still hazy, unclear and not definite. This is where all the stakeholders have to be extra vigilant and professional.

The management of the league is partly in the hands of some officials of the GFA and many committees of the GFA. From the drawing of the league fixtures to now, the league managers have shown class and absolute efficiency and perseverance. Also, Premier League matches have been largely handled well by our referees and other match officials. 

As the matches progressed, some match officials were dropped for various reasons. FA Committees such as the Match Review Panel and the Disciplinary Committees have performed their duties to clear and settle disputes, protests and disagreements.

Objective analysts have concluded that we have had an excellent league. For the first time in several years match attendance and gate proceeds have risen significantly to the joy of the participating teams and organisers. Collateral gainers such as transport owners and those who provide catering services have all benefited financially.

But with just three matches left for the league to end, those involved in its management must maintain their focus and vigilance. 

There are already rumours of schemers trying to unprofessionally decide match results. If this is true, it should be unacceptable and highly unfortunate. Going through sixteen (16) Match Days and 240 matches does not only provide joy, excitement and entertainment. Ultimately, the various matches are designed to show ‘who is who’, which team will win the competition; which of the teams will be in the Top Four and which of them will be relegated.

All these should be determined through ability and competence and not through any machinations and corrupt arrangements. There are widespread speculations that towards the very end of last season, some stakeholders conspired and decided on which teams should be relegated to Division One. Perhaps this is not true as nobody can prove it. 

But rumours and perceptions have parents. It does nobody any good if and when undeserving teams ‘qualify’ to represent us in international competitions and tournaments.

 It should be most unwelcome and even ungodly if and when teams that do not deserve to be relegated suffer only because they are not among some other ‘friendly’ regional teams that might decide on their fate and positions. 

Equally important is the professional competence of our referees and their managers. Match appointments must be done in such a way that only trusted and competent referees are assigned to handle all matches.

The other day, I was watching a video clip on a match played on Match Day 27 and I saw a very competent and uncompromising FIFA referee performing the duties of a fourth referee, with a doubtful Class One referee as the middle referee. That match had to be reviewed following a protest from one of the teams. 

The question is what went into that appointment? Was it the case that the middle referee must also be in the middle to score some basic number of matches handled. I am not trying to undermine the crucial and useful duties of a fourth referee in a match. But certainly, the performance of a good and efficient middle referee should have a more positive bearing on how well the match was handled.

I hope, it was not a case of one of the teams involved in the match making itself a ‘temporary member’ of the appointing authorities. And I hope I am not committing any ‘contempt’.

Referees don’t have the same competence and value systems. Many of our referees are upright and cannot bend to any pressure or influence. They are the ones who should be assigned out at this crucial stage of the league.

A good and confident middle referee who is physically fit has very little use of the two assistant referees. A weak and less confident referee rests almost solely on the flags of his assistants. A typical example was what happened during the Inter Allies and Dwarfs match on Match Day 26. 

 It was a very tight and difficult decision around the 73rd minute of the game. There was ‘a goal or no goal’ situation. The assistant referee believed at the time that a goal was not scored and he persisted for almost six minutes. And in such situations, the assistant referee normally prevails because of his positioning.

But FIFA referee William Agbovi relied on his own eyes and ability. He accepted a goal and in the end he was right. And the result of the match stayed and has been accepted by both teams. That was class and competence in a difficult and dicey situation. The middle referee is ultimately in charge of a game.

Club owners spend a lot of money to keep and manage their teams. All match officials should perform their duties well and professionally. At the same time, our club officials should leave our match officials alone to perform their duties without any pressure or influence.

The league has been well managed and it should end as such. Football is our national passion. It unites us and gives us joy and entertainment. Nobody should therefore do anything to derail it.