The Liberia Football Association (LFA) President Mustapha Raji has reported that some Liberian referees are potentially becoming politicians as depicted by their actions during games, which does not augur well for the sporting arena in the country.
He therefore advised referees to see their status and game as politics-free sector that requires professional and technical practice void of establishment of interest or political affiliation.
Raji said politics should be left with politicians while referees handle the technical aspect of the ball as match officials or quit refereeing and enter into politics if there is a desire.
He urged referees to be focused on the laws of the game and how they can improve themselves professionally.
Raji spoke at the start of a FIFA 2023 elite referee course at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville held early this week.
He said that he has realized that for four years now that bulk of the referees of the Liberia Referees Association have turned themselves into being politicians.
Raji stated that social media platforms should not be used by match officials to discuss game-related issues because there could be misinterpretations and insinuations that are capable of undermining the game.
“You should focus on the development of the game, officiating, and doing the right things. Facebook is not the place for referees to discuss game-related matters, likewise referee’s issues,” he noted.
Raji therefore called on referees to internally correct mistakes made by their colleagues for the good of the fraternity stating that referee’s issues should be discussed internally and handled by the Referee Committee and when decisions are taken, it should not be made public.
LFA’s former Secretary-General who is also Referee Committee member, Idrissa Kaba, thanked the FA for applying for the course. He said, “The course is at FIFA but you will have to apply for it and meet certain criteria.”
In 1988, Kaba continued: “When we attended the first FIFA referee course there was nothing like uniform. It was in 1992 that FIFA sent uniforms to Liberia. Today, you are smartly dressed but we want you to also smartly implement the laws of the game.”
Thirty (30) referees both males and females from Bong, Grand Bassa, Margibi and Montserrado Counties are participating in the mandatory course having completed medicals at Medlink Clinic on Randall Street on Friday, March 3, and physical tests on Monday, March 6.
Jason Damon of Seychelles and LFA’s former Secretary-General, Isaac Montgomery, are serving as technical instructors while Fifa former badged assistant referees, Abraham Fahnbulleh and Jay Exodus Flanjay are the physical instructors.
