Former FIFA Assistant Referee Patrick Papala, has shared the story behind his controversial one-year ban from refereeing, a sanction he believes was harsh and unprecedented for a decision taken on the pitch.
In an exclusive interview on Radio Univers’ Sports Express show, Papala revealed that the suspension stemmed from a Ghana Premier League match between Hearts of Oak and Real Tamale United (RTU), played about three seasons ago.
“It was a Premier League match between Hearts of Oak and RTU. Hearts scored a goal, and I flagged it for offside. After the match was reviewed, the committee believed my decision was wrong,” Papala recalled.
Although the GFA’s Review Committee concluded that the call was incorrect, Papala maintained that his judgment on the field was justified based on what he saw in the moment.
“I stood by my decision. I still believe it was the right call,” he said.
Despite defending his position during the review process, the committee imposed a one-year ban on him for what they deemed a wrong decision.
“To take a decision on the field and be suspended for a whole year. I think it was a bit harsh. Throughout my refereeing career, I hadn’t seen such a punishment unless it was an ethics issue, like bribery,” he added.
Papala clarified that the case was not escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) or FIFA, explaining that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) handles such matters internally through its own disciplinary structures.
He also noted that the match in question was televised live but pointed to inadequate camera coverage as a limitation in accurately reviewing critical decisions like offside calls.
“We don’t have enough cameras in our league games. The angles aren’t sufficient to make definitive judgments,” he explained, calling on the GFA’s new broadcast partner, Adesa Productions Limited, to improve coverage.
Papala was later given an opportunity to retake the fitness test to return to refereeing but suffered a muscle tear and couldn’t complete it. After that, no further chances came his way.
“While waiting for another opportunity, it never came. So I had to step aside and give the younger ones a chance,” he said.
Patrick Papala has turned the page and now focuses on coaching and development. He recently completed the GFA License D coaching course and currently trains boys and girls at Wenchi Methodist Senior High School, where he also teaches Physical Education.
His story serves as a reminder of the high-pressure decisions referees must make and the lasting impact those decisions can have on their careers.
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Story by: Simon Owusu Prempeh|univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Pius Asack
