Retired referee Alex Kotey has publicly apologized to former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie after making bribery allegations against him. The apology came after Afriyie threatened legal action to defend his reputation.
Speaking on Top FM, Kotey admitted his comments were inappropriate and clarified his intentions. “I have called George Afriyie to ask for his forgiveness. He is my close friend in football, and I didn’t mean to damage his image. I have sought his forgiveness so we can continue our friendship. I have retracted my statement,” Kotey said.
The controversy began when Kotey accused Afriyie of attempting to bribe him during his tenure as CEO of Swedru All Blacks. Kotey alleged that Afriyie, accompanied by a mutual friend, visited his home with an offer of money to influence officiating decisions. “George Afriyie came to my house and offered me a bribe during his time with All Blacks. I wasn’t aware of his visit until my friend, who accompanied him, informed me. I felt uncomfortable and initially refused to meet him. But after my friend convinced me, I agreed to speak with him. He wanted to give me money, but I told him I don’t engage in such things and advised him to give the money to his players instead,” Kotey claimed.
Afriyie, however, strongly denied the allegations and indicated that he had taken legal steps to address the matter. “I’m not 100% righteous, but during my time at All Blacks, Alex Kotey never officiated any of our three matches against Kotoko. I have instructed my lawyers to take him on,” Afriyie said in an interview with Kessben FM.
Afriyie was instrumental in Swedru All Blacks’ promotion to the Ghana Premier League in 2005 but parted ways with the club in 2008.
