George Saijah, chairman of the Referees Association, has disclosed that referees officiating Ghana Premier League matches earn GHS 1,000 for each game.
This revelation comes amid concerns within the football community regarding the potential for misconduct due to inadequate remuneration for referees.
During a probe into a petition submitted by the Save Ghana Football Forum in February, Saijah addressed the financial conditions faced by referees. He confirmed that referees officiating in the top tier of Ghanaian football receive a take-home pay of GHS 1,000 per match, while those officiating in the Division One League and Women’s League are compensated with GHS 750.
Saijah clarified that this payment encompasses not just the officiating fee but also covers transportation, accommodation, and meals.
“The GHS 1,000 includes their transportation, officiating fees, hotel accommodations, and food,” he stated, emphasizing the all-in-one nature of their earnings. This statement aims to address perceptions that financial struggles could lead referees to engage in unethical practices to favor certain clubs.