The Referees Association of Ghana (RAG) has denied penning any letter to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) over arrears regarding officiating in the Ghana Premier League.
However, the Association has confirmed the content of the letter, purportedly written by a group calling itself Concerned Referees and Match Commissioners of Ghana (CRAMCOG).
“It is the first time I am even hearing of this group,” said the Chairman of RAG, George Saijah, on Agoro Fie on Onua TV on Monday, April 28.
He, however, indicated that members of his Association are indeed unhappy over arrears, which not only cover the elite league but the lower divisions and the MTN FA Cup as well.
He said the GFA has only honoured eight out of 28 weeks in the top division while owing 10 weeks in the Women’s Premier League.
He stated that only the preliminary rounds in the MTN FA Cup were honoured.
“We have gone back and forth with the Football Association over a long period and they always assure us that they will pay,” the retired referee said.
“But the way things are going, if we don’t speak up, this will degenerate into a big issue.”
He confirmed that they petitioned the Minister of Sports and Recreation as well as Parliament over the issue.
He said the Association has been given up to Friday, May 2 to provide answers.
RAG President Saijah noted that the referees are given GH¢1,100 per game and this has been the fee for years now.
“We are the least paid [referees] in Africa,” he revealed, adding that if you convert the paid amount into Dollars, it is below $100.
According to him, the least paid referees on the continent take not less than $250.
“We are dying,” he lamented, as he also rejects accusations from his members that he is bed with the GFA.
