Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has rejected accusations of biased officiating in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final between Nigeria and host nation Morocco, insisting that all his decisions were guided strictly by the Laws of the Game.
Laryea faced backlash from sections of Nigerian fans after their semi-final exit last Wednesday, with social media awash with claims that his officiating favoured the hosts. The experienced referee, however, dismissed the allegations, maintaining that he conducted the match with professionalism and fairness.
Speaking on his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, Laryea said he remained unfazed by online criticism and narratives surrounding the fixture.
“For me, I just do my refereeing. I just do football,” he said. “I don’t listen to what goes in and out of social media or whatever is happening there. We just apply the Laws of the Game.”
He described the encounter as the biggest assignment of his refereeing career, noting that it was his first time handling a semi-final at the AFCON.
“As a referee, when you are given such a stage, it is a big opportunity,” he stated. “When I was appointed for the game, I felt normal, but there was a bit of anxiety because it was my first AFCON semi-final.”
Laryea also acknowledged the pressure that comes with officiating at the latter stages of major tournaments, stressing that the margin for error is much smaller.
“Semi-final matches are always the toughest because teams are fighting for a place in the final,” he added. “Any team that reaches that stage has already achieved something significant.”
Despite the criticism, Laryea’s remarks reflect his resolve to uphold fairness and professionalism as he continues to strengthen his reputation on the continental refereeing scene.
