Young Apostles FC Request Referee Change for Crucial Match

With their Ghana Premier League status on the line, Young Apostles FC have taken an unusual but pointed step off the pitch, formally requesting a change of referee for their matchday 32 showdown against Nations FC.

The club has written to the Ghana Football Association, asking that referee Juliet Appiah be reassigned from the crucial fixture scheduled for this weekend.

This is not a routine complaint. It stems from lingering anger over her handling of Young Apostles’ matchday 29 encounter against Swedru All Blacks, a game the club says left supporters agitated and the stadium on edge.

In a letter addressed to the GFA General Secretary, Young Apostles highlighted specific concerns about decisions made in that match, arguing that they sparked tension in the stands and threatened the calm of the occasion. The club believes those flashpoints have not been forgotten and could spill into their next outing if not addressed.

The anxiety does not end there. Young Apostles also pointed to the optics surrounding Appiah’s appointment, noting that Nations FC are based in the Ashanti Region, the same region where the referee is reportedly based. In a relegation battle where every whistle matters, the club clearly fears how such a connection might be perceived by fans and neutrals alike.

They were careful, though, to frame the move as protective rather than accusatory.

Young Apostles stressed in their correspondence that the request should not be interpreted as an attack on Appiah’s integrity, but as an effort to safeguard the competition and keep tempers in check for what promises to be a fraught contest.

"Our sole interest is to ensure the sanctity of the competition and a serene, secure sporting environment for both teams, officials, and fans," part of the statement read.

With survival at stake and scrutiny now fixed on the GFA’s response, the build-up to matchday 32 has gained an extra layer of tension before a ball has even been kicked.