Aduana FC CEO Collins Atta Poku has revealed the “hostile” relationship between players and referees as a major challenge in Ghana football.

According to the former sports journalist, referees struggle to effectively communicate with players and often face verbal abuse.

“They [referees] are unable to express themselves well to the players on the pitch. So it’s always hostile,’ he told Luv FM.

“The relationship between players on the pitch and the referees is always hostile. Players have this mentality the referee is cheating them. Even if the referee is doing the right thing, he’s cheating me.

“So the referees are also like they’ve had enough of these players verbally abusing them on the pitch and all that. “

He admonished the referees to foster healthy relationships with the players to reduce disputes and assaults.

“Explain to these boys, communicate with them. When they get injured, be the first to be on the spot. The first thing you say is, calm down. You’ll be fine. I’ve called them [medics] to come.”

“Whilst you are there, say sweet things to these boys. They are in pain. I tell those who are my friends that, aid these boys when they are playing.”

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England manager Thomas Tuchel says players will need the right “social skills” and personality to make his World Cup squad.

Tuchel only has two friendlies in March, against Uruguay and Japan, before naming his squad for the finals, where England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stages.

The former Chelsea manager has not been afraid to leave out big names such as Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden since replacing Gareth Southgate, and recalled experienced Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Tuchel says he needs the right balance in his squad – and not necessarily just the best players.

“When I speak to players who have been in World Cups, it has always made the difference when the connection was right, when the communication was right,” he said.

“When the players had the feeling that the right group is in camp, that they knew their role, why they are in camp, what is expected of them, and they had the feeling that the tournament could even go on for another four weeks, and they would be happy to be together, then they were successful.

“It will be very important that we don’t select just for talent, but also for what we need from a player.

“What are the social skills of a player? Is he a good team-mate? Can he support if his role is maybe the supporting role? So, this is where the focus is.”

England have reached the past two Euros finals and were World Cup semi-finalists under Southgate in 2018.

They face Croatia in Arlington, Texas, on 17 June, at the start of what could potentially be a long tournament.

“We will have a lot of players out there who hopefully play until May for international titles, they will play for national titles, and we will demand – the World Cup will demand a lot out of them,” Tuchel said.

“Then we will hopefully be six to eight weeks together if we make it until the very end.

“It will demand a lot of our social skills, how we are together as a group, and we need to get the nomination right.

“We need to find the right balance in the team and take it as an opportunity and take it as a dream coming true to be part of a World Cup and to play, hopefully, a major role is nothing but a dream.”w

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