By: Belinda Nketia
Football referee Nasara Sakina Mohammed has opened up about her experience as a victim of hooliganism and shed light on corruption within the sport.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Thursday, 6 February 2025, she described the challenges referees face, particularly in the wake of violent attacks.
Her reaction comes after the recent hooliganism act at the Nana Koromansah II Stadium in Nsoatre last weekend. The acts of violence in the Premier League matchday 19 fixture between Nsoatreman and Kotoko led to the death of passionate fan, Francis Frimpong also known as Nana Pooley.
Similarly, Nasara, who was assaulted during a match in Tamale, provided an update on her legal battle for justice. She revealed that her attacker was initially sentenced to a year in custody following a six-month trial. However, after an appeal, the sentence was reduced to a fine of 6,000 Cedis, effectively closing the case.
Beyond her personal ordeal, Nasara pointed to a broader issue in Ghanaian football—a lack of understanding of the rules among some coaches and players. She noted that referees are often accused of bias simply for enforcing the laws of the game.
“When the referee makes a mistake, there’s a proper channel to follow. You don’t take justice into your own hands,” she said.
Even more troubling, she revealed that referees frequently face attempts at bribery before matches.
“Some coaches even call ahead of matches to negotiate with us to be lenient on them. Once you neglect, they assume you’re against them and you want them to lose,” she explained.
Nasara urged authorities and football stakeholders to prioritise education on the rules of the game and work to change the perception that referees are inherently corrupt. She believes that improving awareness could help reduce violence and wrongful accusations against match officials.
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