Ghana FA: hands assistant referee Barnabas Amenyo 12-match ban
Assistant referee Barnabas Amenyo has been handed a 12-man ban by the Ghana Football Association Match Review Panel following a wrong offside call in the Premier League matchweek 16 game between Accra Lions and Medeama.
Amenyo wrongfully raised his flag for offside in the 20th minute, after Medeama scored a sublime goal.
The referee’s decision to put his flag up meant Medeama’s goal was ruled out for offside.
A statement from the GFA says, “It was observed from the video that in the 20th minute of the match a goal was scored by Medeama but was ruled off-side.”
“However, the footage showed that there was no offside incident anywhere and the goal showed have stood.”
Amenyo admitted that he erred and the Match Review Panel ruled that the decision changed the course of the game and, hence, handed him a 12 match ban.
“Since the decision of the offside was taken by the Assistant Referee 2, (Barnabas Amenyo) which changed the result of the match, he is suspended for twelve (12) match days, effective the day of publication,” the statement added.
“The panel also recommend that the Assistant Referee 2 Barnabas Amenyo’s understanding of the Offside Law is questionable. The Assistant Referee must be given further training after serving his suspension at the lower-level division.”
