Ghanaian referee J. A. Amenya has revealed referees officiating in the Ghana Premier League are under too much pressure to perform and need the help of a psychologist to overcome the pressure.

Officials have come under serious scrutiny from coaches, players, club administrators, and fans over poor officiating in the ongoing campaign.

There have been talks suggesting that the decision by the Ghana FA to promote new referees after the ‘Number 12’ documentary without experience to the top-flight has caused a great disservice to the league.

Referee Amenya who also shares the same view stated that the referees are underperforming because of inexperience and the pressure at this point in the league.

“At this point in time in the league, you need much experience to perform well. Inexperience is costing us a lot. In refereeing the moment you are cautious of your mistakes and you want to prevent another mistake, you lose control of the game”, he told Happy FM.

“I will suggest that there should be a psychologist attached to the referees. At this time of the league the pressure is too much that if you don’t have that experience, the matches won’t go well for you.

“There is too much pressure on them and I will call on the GFA as a matter of urgency to psych them and also get some experienced referees to support them”.

He also advised the referees not to only rely on the gadgets that have been provided for them by the Ghana Football Association for communication on the field.

“The referee should not always depend on the gadgets alone but also find other means to communicate on the field”, he added.