Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A (2024)

Football in Ghana is a deeply rooted and passionately followed sport (Charway & Houlihan, 2020). The Ghana Football Association plays a central role in its administration. Referees are vital in upholding the integrity of the game and face significant challenges addressed through various reforms and development initiatives. Age manipulating or reducing age to allow an unfair advantage undermines the physical and ethical standards essential for fair play and integrity in sports. It can lead to decreased performance, inconsistent officiating safety risks, and a loss of trust (Daga, Agostino & Cazzoli, 2023). These issues are detrimental to the overall health and reputation of the sport. This study uses a qualitative exploratory research design with 12 referees, nine males, and three females, to explore the age manipulation phenomenon among referees in Ghanaian football. They were conducted within the context of Ghana, a nation with a rich historical and cultural background in West Africa. The research focuses on referees participating in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) and Division One League (DOL). Data collection involved semi-structured one-on-one interviews and telephone conversations with referees, aiming to capture their experiences and insights. This study explores the current prevalence rate, causes, and implications of age manipulation among soccer referees in Ghana. Key factors identified include the desire to extend careers, financial motivations opportunities for advancement and inadequate age verification processes. The implications of age manipulation are multifaceted. They affect trust in the sport, young referees' development, and cheating referees' mental health. The study advocates for the implementation of robust age verification systems, transparency in referee selection processes, and the need for stringent penalties to mitigate age fraud.