Don't pay lip services to the issue of bribery

Accra, Nov 16, GNA - The Professional League Board (PLB) has been advised against paying lip service to the issue of bribery in the nation's football but rather take pragmatic step to solve the problem. The call comes weeks after the PLB called on referees to report bribe giving officials to the PLB for action to be taken against such officials who try to influence match results.

Mr Dan Aseidu-Asare, Chief Executive of Sportnet Company Limited dealers in sports wares and one time owner of the defunct Sportnet FC, a Division One football club told the GNA Sports in an interview that calling on referees to report bribe giving officials is not the solution to the problems of the nation's game.

According to Mr Aseidu-Asare, the PLB in conjunction with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) must institute motivational packages and awards for such bold referees.

He said this will definitely motivate such referees to come off their shells and rebuff bribe giving team officials as well as expose them.

=93By this measure, I'm sure the issue of bribery and corruption will reduce drastically in the system.=94 Mr Aseidu-Asare's proposal was based on the fac t that bribery benefits all parties involved and the best way to curb it is to motivate the concerned people with a special package to reject such bribes. He, however, noted that the packages should not be made open but an in-house measure known only to the referees, the PLB and FA, since its disclosure will defeat the purpose right from the onset. In another development, Mr Aseidu-Asare has announced that his outfit which has been given the mandate to sell replica jerseys of the senior national team, the Black Stars has received deliveries of more jerseys for the public.

According to the Sportnet boss, plans are in place to open outlets at the various stadia in the country to enable every Ghanaian have access to the products.