VIDEO: Ghanaian referee Charles Bulu loses consciousness during Afcon qualifier
He had replaced compatriot Daniel Laryea who withdrew from the game at pre-match.
File Photo
Ghanaian referee, Charles Bulu lost his consciousness while officiating the final 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group K qualifier between Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia Tuesday afternoon.
The incident happened late in the game at the new Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.
Bulu, originally appointed fourth official for the match by Caf, was a late pre-match replacement for compatriot Daniel Laryea who withdrew from the match after testing positive for COVID-19.
Ethiopia were losing 3-1 to already-qualified Ivory Coast in Abidjan after 80 minutes when referee Bulu started to walk looking a bit unstable, prompting his compatriot Kwasi Brobbey Acheampong – the assistant 1 – to run onto the pitch to call for help.
🎥🗣| Ghanaian referee Charles Bulu lost consciousness during an #Afcon2021 qualifier between Cote d'Ivoire and Ethiopia this afternoon.
He was originally designated 4th official but had to step in after compatriot Daniel Laryea withdrew due to COVID.
Get well soon Mr. Bulu. pic.twitter.com/vkbrrLLlIO
— Footy-Ghana.com 🇬🇭 (@FootyGhana) March 30, 2021
The Ghanaian could not continue and the game had to be abandoned after the visiting team refused to continue under the fourth official – Kouassi Biro, an Ivorian who replaced Bulu at the pre-match meeting.
Referee Charles Bulu received treatment at the national stadium before being taken to hospital.
