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I read recently with shock and some sadness about a referee from Togo being banned for life by soccer’s governing body Fifa.
It ruled that Kokou Hougnimon Fagla had accepted bribes to manipulate an unspecified international friendly.
The findings came from Fifa’s investigation into various international matches that convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal tried to manipulate for betting purposes.
Fifa said Fagla had been “banned for life from all football-related activities at both national and international level” and fined $3 000 [R44 000].
I was shocked at the thought that a person, in this case a referee, would indulge in such underhand activity and sad about how the name of refereeing could be brought down to such a level as to tarnish us all.
I am also extremely angry that these people (referees) who are the guardians of the game would allow themselves to be compromised in this way.
I know there are non-refereeing individuals who will try to manipulate games for their own ends, but for a match official who is entrusted with the job of being fair and objective to go along with such criminal activity makes it all the more shocking.
Sadly, again, Fagla is not the first and, even more sadly, he probably won’t be the last.
I am not aware of how much he received, but, regardless, it casts a dark shadow over match officialdom because every decision by a referee that might be perceived to be dubious will heap more pressure on the men and women in black.
New law changes continued
As promised in the last column, here is more on the changes to the laws of the game.
Law 3, number of players:
“A player who is being substituted must leave the field of play at the nearest point on the boundary line, unless otherwise directed by the referee.” Before this, he had to come to the dugout. This will help speed up substitutions.
Law 4, players’ equipment:
“Undershirts can be multicoloured/patterned if exactly the same as the sleeve of the main shirt.”
Law 5, referees:
“Referees cannot change a restart decision after play has restarted, but, in certain circumstances, may issue a YC/RC [yellow or red card] for a previous incident.
“If the referee leaves the field for a VAR [video assistant referee] review or to call players back to the field at the end of a half, a decision can still be changed.
“Team officials guilty of misconduct can be shown a YC/RC; if an offender cannot be identified, the senior coach in the technical area receives the YC/RC.
“If a penalty kick is awarded, the team’s penalty taker can receive assessment or treatment and then stay on the field and take the kick.”
The International Football Association Board and Fifa also reminded everyone of two important aspects of the game.
Captains: The laws of the game state that the captain has a “degree of responsibility for the behaviour of their team” – captains are expected to use this responsibility to help calm/positively influence the behaviour of their players, especially in controversial or confrontational situations involving opponents or match officials.
Respect for referees: Players must respect all decisions made by the referee and other match officials. Respect for the laws of the game and the match officials who apply the laws is paramount to the fairness and image of football.
I will continue with more law changes next week.
It is important to remember that these changes do not come into effect until June 1, unless a league is already in progress. In that case, it will be from the start of their new season in 2020.
Please feel free to comment or ask questions.
Happy whistling!
Follow me on Twitter @dr_errol
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