GFA must be firm on refs – Berry Ladies

Women’s Premier League side Berry Ladies have expressed their displeasure with the Disciplinary Committee’s four-match suspension of referee Lovia Doudu.

In a statement signed by Chief Executive Gifty Oware-Mensah, the club explained why the sanctions meted out to the referee were not commensurate with the offense. 

”Unfortunately, the sanctions meted out to the referee for the admission of guilt may not be entirely satisfying, it does not serve the need for a proper deterrent to any official that intends to execute the same traits on the field; in that, in the spirit of Fair Play, the referee’s response to the 70th-minute foul which gave Hasaccas Ladies a goal should be canceled” the statement said.

Berry Ladies protest

After the club’s 2-2 draw with Hasaacas Ladies on January 28, Berry Ladies filed a protest against referee Lovia Doudu for her decision to allow 25minutes of additional time in the said match. 

In its protest, the club cited Section 23 (1) of the GFA Women’s League Regulations, which stipulates that matches are to last for 90 minutes. The protest questioned Lovia Doudu’s decision to allow 53 minutes in the first half even though she was repeatedly told by her assistant that time was up.

Berry ladies also protested that the referee had failed to give a foul in the 70th minute which led to a Hasaacas goal.

After Hasaacas Ladies scored an equalizer during added time, the referee finally ended the match.

Doudu’s response

In her response to the Disciplinary Committee, Doudu admitted that she missed the foul on the Barry Ladies player in the build-up to Hasaacas’ first goal. 

In a remarkable turn of events, Doudu claimed that she “forgot to start her time when Berry Ladies goalkeeper got injured, and that led to the excess additional minutes played”. She then pleaded for clemency.

Hasmal and Berry Ladies in an aerial tussle for the ball. Photo by 442gh.com 

Disciplinary Committee Verdict

The GFA handed her a four-game suspension after her guilty plea.

Dissatisfied Berries

Although the referee has been suspended, Berry Ladies are not impressed with the incident and how it has been handled. In its statement on the matter, the club called for a concerted effort to protect the integrity of the game. 

”These unfortunate outcomes and scenes discourage investors, who may wish to invest in the industry. It is difficult to grow in such environments especially when a team is perceived to be the favorite and must be favored to win at all costs. And to this, I pray all stakeholders to rise and protect the game they love so much else it loses its essence” the statement said.