Sports
Ghanaian Referees Banned After Bribery Probe
The Referees’ Association of Ghana (RAG) has handed life-time bans to six more referees in the wake of an investigation into bribery.
It also banned 47 match officials for 10 years each, while another 14 were exonerated.
RAG also confirmed the sanctions handed down by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last month, two for life and six others for 10 years.
It brings the total with life bans to eight and those with 10-year bans to 53.
Those on the list released by RAG have until 1 October to appeal against the rulings.
The investigation was launched after the officials were secretly filmed accepting money by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
In a statement RAG said those facing lifetime bans “were found culpable for seriously breaching various portions of Disciplinary Code, Code of the Ethics and Regulations of the football controlling bodies by their actions and inactions.”
David Laryea and Reginald Lathbridge had already been banned for life by CAF, they have been joined by Safo Adade, Samuel Sukah, Dally Gagba, Furella Barnie, Charles Duwona and Umar Teni.
This is the latest fallout from Anas’ film that has seen the Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi resign from his post, as well as from positions he held with Caf and Fifa.
He has also been suspended for 135 days by football’s world governing body, FIFA, as it investigates corruption allegations, Nyantakyi has denied any wrongdoing.
Last Thursday, FIFA and CAF announced a 4-member normalisation committee to take charge of the football affairs in Ghana for the next six months.
Former football association board member, Dr Kofi Amoah, will head up the committee, he was in charge of the organising committee when Ghana hosted the 2008 Nations Cup.
The other members are, a former chief executive of a telecoms company, Lucy Quist, a former Asante Kotoko board member and director general of Ghana Post, Dua Adonten, as well as lawyer, Naa Odofoley Nortey.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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