Division One side, Hohoe United FC has formally protested the appointment of referee Emmanuel Asare Darko for their upcoming Week 23 Access Bank Division One League match against Golden Kick FC, citing concerns over potential bias and conflict of interest.
In a strongly worded statement, the club argued that Mr. Darko’s residence in the Eastern Region—home to two of their closest league rivals, Okwawu United FC and Port City FC—raises suspicions of partiality. The club emphasized that the zonal nature of the league means regional affiliations could influence referee decisions, particularly at this critical stage of the season.
Hohoe United, currently leading the league table, pointed to the presence of Port City FC officials and supporters at their recent match against Attram De Visser FC as evidence of their rivals’ vested interest in the outcome of their games.
The club further highlighted Mr. Darko’s previous role as a Division Two referee under the Eastern Regional Football Association, where he officiated matches involving Okwawu United and Port City FC. This association, they argued, creates an unfair perception of favoritism, undermining the integrity of the sport.
“We strongly object to a referee from the Eastern Region handling our match, just as we would oppose a Volta Region referee overseeing a game involving Okwawu or Port City,” the statement read.
Hohoe United called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to immediately replace Mr. Darko to ensure fairness and transparency. The club reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the principles of fair play while urging the GFA to take swift action to preserve the credibility of the league.
No official response has yet been issued by the GFA or the Referees’ Committee regarding the protest.
