The unity match between hearts and kotoko at the Accra sports stadium was played with the application of the new Fifa laws, referee David Laryea has revealed.

David Laryea, who  was one of the  linesman in the game, in an interaction with ghanaguardian.com, has shed some light on the actions took by them in the game,  calling   on  football fans to be aware that the 2015/16 season has ended and hence the new Fifa rules are in force.

Wednesday's match between the two glamorous clubs in the country was awash with offsides, with hearts of being  the worse culprit in strikers Cosmos Dauda and Kwame Kizito

Cosmos Dauda alone found himself in an offside position on more than 5 occasions in the first 45 minutes of the game,with most calls coming from Referee Laryea-an action that irritated most hearts of oak fans.

But Referee Laryea explained that  the official did nothing wrong as they were only applying the new fifa law on offside.

"We came into this game with the application of the new offside rules in mind and all our calls were spot on. If you are not aware, you will attack us wrongly", he disclosed.

"Most of our decision would have been in error if we were to go by the old rules, but under the new rules, all we did was right.Most the decisions were taken by me and i was aware of the rules as a Fifa referee.Perhaps most of fans are not aware of  the  amended Fifa  rules on offside.

Fifa early this year amended  rules governing the game, taking effect in the 2016/17 season and when quizzed why they applied the rules with the season still ongoing, Referee Laryea disagreed claiming the new 2016/17 season is already in effect with the official declaration of Wa All Stars as the new champion of  the just ended league season.

"We Fifa Referees are not looking at when the league is going to  start, once the 2015/16 season has ended, the 2016/17 has begun and the laws are in effect.

We are not looking at the division one, these are premier league teams and they are already preparing for this 2016/17.

 

Valid penalties given

Two penalties were given in the game to both teams with hearts of oak's being a subject of controversy as its incurred the displeasure of kotoko fans who thought the referee should have rather penalized Isaac Mensah for diving.

However Referee Laryea explains the officials got it right  as there was a clear case of obstruction by  Richard Osei Agyemang on  the hearts of oak winger.

"There was a clear fowl on the player despite the fact that he dived after challenge.But the challenge came first on the player which is a clear case of obstruction and that is the most important thing to look at."

"The second penalty which went to Kotoko rather became valid as a result of the new amendment of the  Fifa law we are talking about.

In the old rule, Inusah's case could have been ignored by the officials discretion  as it was not intentional, But under the new rules, no official has the discretion or whats over to think for a player, we don't deal with intentions any longer.

So once the ball the hit the hand in the full glare of everyone, the rules call for a  penalty and hence both penalties given were valid"

disallowed  goal

The Phobians had a second goal through Cosmos Dauda when a cross from Kizito  connected with his outstretched right foot and rolled  into the net, but he was ruled offside by the assistant referee.The decision put the Phobian fans in black mood, accusing the officials for trying  to favor the  Kotoko in order to calm the nerves of their missile[-throwing fans.

But  Referre David Laryea again explaines to  ghanaguardian.com that it was a good call as Cosmos before the ball was kicked, was already in an offside position

"In fact Kizito, who  crossed the ball, would have been judged to be an  offside position if were dealing with the old rule, but we allowed him play on since we were dealing with the new rule.But for Cosmos, he was totally offside and hence we it was right to disallow that goal"

To demystify the new Fifa rules for the benefit of all, Referee David Laryea has appealed to team officials and the media to do what they can to inform and educate the fans about the new Fifa rules which is already in effect at the beginning of the 2016/17 season.

The peace match organised by the United Nations Association of Ghana (UNA-Ghana)  at the Accra Sports Stadium to promote peace ahead of the 2016 General Elections.

The 2nd leg is expected to be played in Kumasi at a later date as agreed by both teams and the organisers o.f the game.

By Fiifi Abdul-Malik/ghanaguardian.com