Ghana Football Association (GFA) Referees’ Manager, Alexander Kotey, is on the verge of being sacked following his controversial reversal of bribery allegations against former GFA vice-president George Afriyie.
Kotey initially claimed in an interview with Accra-based Top FM that Afriyie attempted to influence him during a league match between Swedru All Blacks and Asante Kotoko years ago. However, under legal pressure, he retracted the statement, admitting that the allegation was baseless and a product of his imagination.
The dramatic U-turn has raised serious questions about Kotey’s credibility, with many within the football fraternity arguing that his position is now untenable. Given his crucial role in overseeing refereeing integrity, his inconsistency has sparked concerns over his reliability.
The GFA’s Executive Council is reportedly considering dismissing Kotey, as his actions have damaged the association’s credibility. His retraction has also fueled speculation about whether the original claim was politically motivated or merely fabricated.
Refereeing is a critical aspect of football, and any suggestion of bribery or corruption can tarnish the sport’s image. This controversy could also influence how the GFA handles integrity issues and the appointment of referees going forward.
A former FIFA referee, Kotey has served as a Referees’ Instructor, Referee Assessor, and Match Commissioner. He was named the SWAG Referee of the Year in 2006 and officiated at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. However, his credibility now hangs in the balance as pressure mounts for his removal.