Monrovia – Referees in the game of football are considered the final decision-makers and disciplinarians during and after the full ninety minutes of play.
By Jaheim T. Tumu- [email protected]
However, some referees have suffered abuse from players, fans, and technical staff over time, resulting in suspensions and bans for those found guilty of misconduct against match officials. On the other hand, referees can also be caught in the web of misconduct against players, as is the case with Liberian international referee Hassan Corneh, who has been accused by players of Global Pharma Football Club of “insulting” them during their last game of the season against Tony FC.
Global Pharma, the 2022-23 LFA Second Division, saw three red cards in their final match of the season, which Tony FC won 2-1, and the game was officiated by FIFA badge referee Hassan Corneh. Randy Dukuly, coach Keatu Smith, and Lawrence Wilson were all shown red cards by Corneh. Dukuly was the first victim of Corneh, receiving a straight red card for confronting Corneh’s decision.
According to players of Global Pharma, Corneh went into the match with a set mind and had threatened them before kick-off. The players explained that the FIFA badge referee told them that “he was aware that they had compromised the game in favor of Tony FC,” something the players said is far from the truth.
One of the players, James Richardson, who ended the league as top scorer of Global Pharma and scored his side’s lone goal against Tony FC, further stated that Corneh accused them of giving the match to Tony FC to help them qualify for the first division depending on Paynesville FC’s result. Richardson also said Corneh insulted Lawrence’s mother during the game.
Wilson, who was shown a red card after the game, said he was surprised at Corneh’s attitude towards him and his teammates. Wilson said he was just asking Corneh if he got what he wanted, and Corneh replied with an expletive directed towards Wilson’s mother, leading to Wilson being shown a red card.
In tears, Wilson said after the game that he was angry and wanted to fight the referee but refrained from doing so because of the power of the referee. Liberia Football Association’s referee Director Stanley Konah Sr said that the LFA has not received a complaint about the allegations against Corneh. Konah said that if the allegations are established, Corneh will be suspended because it is wrong for a referee to insult a player or team officials.
The LFA’s referee director also said that Hassan, as a FIFA badge referee, should not engage in such an act because he would not do it in an international match.
Meanwhile, many clubs have complained of referees insulting players without any action being taken against the referees.
Mark Paye of Bea Mountain was suspended for a year for assaulting referee Moses Forkpah, and with the latest allegations against referee Corneh, many lovers of Liberian football will be looking at the decision that will be taken against him if he is found guilty.