In the face of growing backlash from fans and clubs alike, veteran Ghanaian referee G.K. Manu has come out defending the integrity and quality of officiating in the just ended 2024/2025 Ghana Premier League season.
With controversies piling up week after week—from disputed penalties to explosive walk-offs like Nations FC’s dramatic exit against Holy Stars—the spotlight has burned hotter than ever on referees.
But according to Manu, the criticism is overblown, unfair, and borderline disrespectful.
“Most of the Journalists are fanatics to the home team, so if it does not go very well, they will put the blame on the referee and that is the norm of the country,” he fired. “When you go to the Accra Sports Stadium likewise they put the blame on the referees!”
The outspoken whistleblower insists that referees are being scapegoated for club failures, and urged fans to show more understanding.
> “We can not be one hundred percent as referees, after all we are humans. So if we are given these constructive criticisms, that will help because if all these criticisms are destructive towards referees, who will listen to us,” he told Citi Sports. “so the criticisms must be constructive.”
Manu’s comments come just days after a GPL match ended in protest and heated post-match scenes, with clubs openly questioning the integrity of match officials.
But the seasoned referee says the GFA’s Referees Committee is doing its part, and it’s time for clubs to focus more on performance than pointing fingers.
By: Pascal Amoah
