Former Ghana Premier League Referee Mercy Tagoe jumps to the defense of banned J.O Lamptey

Former Ghana Premier League Referee Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoe says Joseph Lamptey’s life ban by FIFA is unfair.

J.O Lamptey was given a lifetime ban by FIFA for unlawfully influencing match results of the FIFA Disciplinary code during a FIFA World Cup Russia qualifying match between South Africa and Senegal on 12^th November 2016.

Lamptey awarded South Africa a penalty for a nonexistent handball in the penalty area against a Senegalese defender.

The Senegalese Football Association appealed the decision which resulted in Lamptey being given an initial three-month ban before FIFA subsequently settled on a life ban for the veteran Ghanaian referee.

Mary Tagoe-Quarcoe says Lamptey made a common error in judgement and does not deserve to be kicked out of the sports altogether.

“He made a mistake, it was a wrong decision but we all make mistakes. A one-year ban would’ve been a more fitting punishment.

It is very unfair to take his joy and passion away from him because of a mistake he made. I am very sad, because to err is human, and we should temper justice with mercy,” he said.

In addition to the ban, J.O Lamptey will be completely exempted from all football related matters.

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