‘Embittered’ Ghanaian referee Patrick Papala announces retirement aged 39

Ghanaian match official Patrick Papala, aged 39, has declared his immediate retirement from refereeing via his official social media account.

The announcement comes in the wake of his one-year ban from officiating any football, a penalty imposed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in July 2023.

Papala faced disciplinary action from the GFA for incorrectly flagging offside during a Ghana Premier League match between Hearts of Oak and Real Tamale United (RTU).

Proud to have retired same time with a great man. Accept everything about yourself – I mean everything, You are you, and that is the beginning and the end – no apologies, no regrets. _*#UnlessTheyKillGod*_ @ghanafaofficial @GhanaLeague @3kosiisen @kofiamoaabban pic.twitter.com/KD9T6z5YVV
— Patrick PAPALA (@PapalaPatrick1) December 21, 2023

The controversial decision disallowed a legitimate goal for Hearts of Oak. The ban led to the removal of his FIFA badge ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Despite the ban still being in effect, Papala has opted to retire from his role as a referee. His career included a continental debut in CAF inter-club competitions during the 2019/20 season, where he officiated Champions League and Confederation Cup matches.

https://twitter.com/papalapatrick1/status/1737183020417978681?s=46

Additionally, he served as an assistant referee for Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup qualifiers, as appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).