Ghana refs suspected of lying about their age

Published Sep. 27, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Ghana Football Association is investigating if some of its referees lied about their ages and made themselves appear younger so they can work for longer.

GFA spokesman Sanni Darra says the association ''noticed some irregularities'' recently on officials' high school certificates, leading to a probe to discover their real ages. He said the GFA had been looking to use younger referees.

Randy Abbey, chairman of the GFA's referee appointment committee, says disciplinary action will be taken against referees who lied about their ages.

Reports say nine referees were found to have forged documents at a recent course in the capital Accra. The GFA wouldn't comment on the number, with Darra saying ''it's premature now to mention any names until work is completed.''