19 referees receive FIFA badges

Accra, Jan. 14, GNA - The Referees Association of Ghana (RAG) in collaboration with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Wednesday presented FIFA badges to 19 referees.

The list which is made up of six females, consists of eight central referees and 11 assistant referees and their selection were decided upon critical assessment of their performance by the world soccer governing body, FIFA, following nominations made by RAG. The 19 referees have thus qualified to be appointed for international matches this soccer season. The male referees are William Agbovi, Seidu Hamidou Bomison, Joseph Lamptey, Reginald Lathbridge, Thomas Nunoo and Cecil Fleischer The male assistant referees include Ibrahim Badiu, Boadu Ayeboafo Ahmed, Haruna Ayuba, David Laryea, Dawoud Ouadrago, Salifu Malik and George Seijah.

Vivian Aggor and Mercy Tagoe make up the female referees with Emmanuela Aglagoh, Mary Seidu, Abigail Sowah and Mary Adama as the assistant female referees.

Nunoo and Aglagoh are the new entrants to the nation's cr=E8me de la cr=E8me of the Knights of the Whistle. At a ceremony to present them their badges, Louis Laryea, Chairman of RAG cautioned the referees to desist from acts that may diminish their reputation and urged them to maintain their standards of fair officiating.

Kofi Nsiah, General Secretary of GFA also urged the referees to maintain high standards in their performance, describing the profession as one of the main pillars of football.