Referees demands for bribes forced me out of football administration

Tony Yeboah says he would only return to football administration in Ghana when corruption and bribery practices among referees in the country seize.

The first black African to emerge as the top scorer in the Bundesliga while playing Eintracht Franfourt in the 1992-193 season was the owner of a lower division side based in Kumasi by name Yegola FC, but he dissolved the team after he accused referees of biased officiating against his side because he refused to pay bribes

Tony Yeboah has stated that he would never venture into football administration again unless corrupt referees who frustrated him to quit football administration turn away from their evil deeds.

“I don’t think I can return to football at this stage. I can only change my mind if things improve, but there is no way that I will return to football if the situation remains the same,” said Yeboah in an exclusive interview with the Graphic Sports in Kumasi.

“The incessant demand of bribes by referees to influence matches in my favour completely killed my spirit to invest in football.”

Tony Yeboah further narrated that his desire to contribute to the development in Ghana football was undermined by the knights of the whistle who killed his dream of helping the youth.

“I was very determined to support the youth develop their talents to sustain our brand of football and goalscoring prowess, but I was haunted out by corrupt match officials.”

“We fought very hard to qualify from the Second Division to the First Division. This was because we had a good team and played very well, but just afterwards, referees started demanding money from me at my hotel any time they came to officiate matches. This was after I had offered them free accommodation and food. I was shocked to see referees demanding money before a match, so I always refused.

“Offering bribes to referees to influence a game would not only have affected my dignity as a professional player but also would have prevented me from [properly] assessing the performances of my coach and players to know their weaknesses and strengths. Sadly, however, I was always pressurised to do it, so my interest in football died completely,” he bemoaned.

The former Leeds United marksman scored 29 goals in 59 matches for Ghana between 1985 and 1997.