Retired referee Wellington wants under-fire J.A Amenya pardoned for genuine mistake in Accra derby

Retired Ghanaian referee Joseph Wellington insists referee J.A Amenya must be pardoned for making a genuine mistake in the Accra derby between Great Olympics and Hearts of Oak.

Amenya has been reported to the Ghana FA by Hearts over his performance considered biased towards Olympics in the thrilling stalemate last Sunday.

The Phobians were denied a clear penalty kick after winger Eric Kumi was fouled in the box by Olympics defender Benjamin Arthur.

The disallowed penalty kick proved crucial as the game ended in a goalless stalemate.

The decision has infuriated Hearts officials who are demanding a severe punishment for the referee.

But Joseph Wellington says Amenya must not be punished for making a genuine mistake.

“He [J.A Amenya] accepts he made a mistake and has apologized for it but he is never a bad referee,” Wellington said.

“He has worked his way up to become a Premier League referee for the past five years so his competence cannot be in doubt.

“He only made a genuine mistake and must be pardoned.”

Amenya is being prepared to mount his defence before the GFA’s Match Review Panel later this week.