George Saijah, chairman of the Referees Association of Ghana, has revealed that referees officiating matches in the Ghana Premier League earn GHS 1,000 per game.
This disclosure comes in response to ongoing concerns regarding the pressure some referees may feel to favor specific clubs due to inadequate compensation.
During a recent investigation prompted by a petition from the Save Ghana Football Forum, Saijah provided clarity on the payment structure for officials across various leagues, including the Ghana Premier League, Division One League, and Women’s League.
He detailed that the GHS 1,000 fee covers several essential expenses, including transportation, officiating fees, hotel accommodation, and meals.
“The salary is a take-home of 1,000 cedis for Premier League referees. The Division One League and the referees in the Women’s League receive 750 cedis,” Saijah stated.
Saijah further explained that the total amount includes necessary costs such as feeding and accommodation for the referees. “The 1,000 cedis comprise of their transportation, officiating, hotel, and food,” he noted.
However, critics argue that a simple breakdown of the expenses incurred by a referee for a single match may exceed the amount they are compensated.
This disparity raises questions about the financial viability of officiating and the potential implications for impartiality in match officiating.
The discussion highlights the need for a reevaluation of compensation structures to ensure that referees can perform their duties without the burden of financial stress.