No
Secret In Our Success
-Liberian Referee Discloses
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
May 6, 2003
These days, Liberian referees have been commanding the
respect of both the world and African
football-governing bodies, FIFA and CAF. For instance, Idrissa Kaba,
Buster Snyder and Sylvester
Rennie took charge of the crucial and crack Nations Cup qualifier
between the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone and the Atlas Lions of Morocco
in Freetown on March 29, 2003.
Not long after, the Liberian Football Referees
Association (LIFRA) was mandated by CAF to select nine referees for
the first round stage of the three African club competitions, CAF
Champions League, Cup Winners Cup and CAF Cup.
With this level of confidence being reposed in Liberian
referees by FIFA and CAF, Liberiansoccer.com tracked down a young
referee, Patrick Paye, who has also traveled to parts of
Africa to serve as man in the middle.
Liberiansoccer.com: The level of
Liberian soccer is not too splendid, yet you continue to be called by
FIFA and CAF to officiate in important and big games. What is your
secret?
Paye: There is no secret about
refereeing FIFA and CAF games. We are already qualified as FIFA
referees. So, it is only left with the two organizations to select any
of us.
Liberiansoccer.com: What sort of
courtesy do teams give you when you travel?
Paye: I am welcomed by the host
association and I well taken care of.
Liberiansoccer.com: Do you work
hard to satisfy a home team probably because it is your host?
Paye: No. It is my responsibility
to implement the Laws of the Game, not to satisfy any side.
Liberiansoccer.com: Have you ever
been tempted with a bribe either at home or abroad?
Paye: No.
Liberiansoccer.com: In case a team
tries to bribe you, what would you do?
Paye: If any team tries to bribe,
I will expose the team by writing the football association or
organization who will take the appropriate action.
Liberiansoccer.com: How do you
avoid favoring a particular team?
Paye: I officiate according to the
Laws of the Game.
Liberiansoccer.com: Do games
sometime become difficult for you?
Paye: So far, no game has appeared
to be difficult for me.
Liberiansoccer.com: How do you
interact with players on the pitch?
Paye: They are treated as good
gentlemen both on and off the pitch.
Liberiansoccer.com: What's your
relationship with players, teams and officials off the pitch?
Paye: Out the field, we all act
good friends and friends from the same nation.
Liberiansoccer.com: How do you
notice that you have performed poorly or well during a match?
Paye: As an individual, if you
performed well, you will know, poorly you will know.
Liberiansoccer.com: What's your
next action in case you err during a game?
Paye: There is no correction on
the field of play.
Liberiansoccer.com: How do
referees detect that a match is fixed?
Paye: It is very hard to know as a
referee that a match is fixed. Only the organizer will be able to know
that the match is fixed.
Liberiansoccer.com: Is it the duty
of referees to raise alarm when observed that a match is fixed?
Paye: No because we don't know
that a match is fixed. Then how do you raise alarm?
Liberiansoccer.com: Can good players also become good referees?
Paye: If you stopped playing
football and be trained, as a referee, yes, you can be a good referee,
and it will be added on your CV as part of your sporting career.
Liberiansoccer.com: What would you
do if a football federation or association tells you to favor a
particular team?
Paye: I will refuse to listen to
the association or federation and take them to the higher football
body
for their action.
Liberiansoccer.com: Can a person
who has already served a team be admitted as a referee?
Paye: After retiring as a player,
you can be trained and admitted as a referee.
Liberiansoccer.com: Is it binding
that referees blow the whistle for every offense on the pitch?
Paye: Yes, this is your authority
on the field of play. Only whistle can stop the match, not by word.
Liberiansoccer.com: How do a
referee determine a foul that is said to be intentional?
Paye: You have 12 laws. As a
referee you must know all, especially between direct and indirect
kicks.
Liberiansoccer.com: What's your
reaction about diving by players?
Paye: Any player who tries to fool
a referee during a match, he or she can be salinated.
Liberiansoccer.com: After you
retired as a referee, what will you do next?
Presently, I hold an Associate degree in the area of Architectural
Drafting and Design. Upon my
retirement, I would like to become a manager of a good institution.
FACTFILE:
Full Name: Patrick Paye
Date of birth: August 20, 1969
Place of Birth: Nimba County
Weight: 180lb
Height:6'_0"
Address:GSA Road, Paynesville or Liberia Football Association
Hobbies:Playing football
First Local Match: IE vrs. Barrolle
First International Match: Real de Banjul(Gambia) vrs. AS
Kaloum(Guinea)
Best Local Match: LPRC Oilers vrs. St. Anthony
Best International Match: All three
Role Model: Pierluigi Collina (Italy)
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