FIFA and CAF referees instructor and assessor, Alex Kotey has disbanded reports that Charles Bulu is at risk of losing out on officiating matches at the top level after collapsing during an AFCON 2021 qualifier.

Kotey, who also doubles as the Referees Manager at the Ghana Football Association, when asked about Bulu’s chances of securing appointments in the future quickly refuted claims that Bulu’s opportunities were going to be limited.

“I don’t think so,”- he said.

The Ghanaian referee was seen acting uncomfortable with ten minutes to the end of the matchday six AFCON qualifier between Ivory Coast and Ethiopia and required medical attention.

Bulu was rushed to the hospital when he collapsed during the course of the game.

Referee Charles Bulu at the hospital recovering after collapsing during game between Ivory Coast and Ethiopia.

The experienced referee spent three days at the hospital as part of his recovery process, and this turn of events has led many into fearing Ghana might lose one of its topmost referees in Future FIFA and CAF assignments.

“What FIFA and CAF requested is his medicals to be sent to them. We have his medicals and everything here and I believe that even at the hospital [he was treated after the collapse], the doctors will also put together a medical report about him, and so I don’t think that he is at risk of officiating at the top level at all,” he continued.

“Charles doesn’t have problems when you talk about fitness. He is always fit because he’s working out now and then, he is always training, so for me, fitness was not the issue,”.

“These are things that happen in association sports and football is not an exception that’s why there is more emphasis on medicals” – Kotey stressed.