Renowned Gambian referee Bakary Papa Gassama has announced his retirement from international football. 

Gassama, the country’s most respected and decorated referee, made the announcement today (21 December). 

He was a referee for nearly two decades and has officiated in all the most prestigious football tournaments including the African Cup of Nations and World Cups finals. 

The 44-year-old rose to prominence within the refereeing circles after joining FIFA’s elite panel in 2007.

His started his career in The Gambia’s domestic football leagues before progressing to the African regional football tournaments. 

Gassama’s reputation for fairness, acute understanding of the game, and ability to manage high pressure situations made him a respected figure in the African continent. 

He has a huge fan base across the continent with high degree of respect and satisfaction in his work.

The Gambian Football Federation praised Gassama on his stellar refereeing career. 

“As Gassama’s international career draws to a close, he leaves behind a legacy of integrity and professionalism. His decision to retire is driven by a desire to provide opportunities for younger referees to emerge and gain visibility on the global stage.

“While stepping away aside from international duties, Mr. Gassama has committed to continue his involvement in football by contributing to the GFF domestic league Division One for the remainder of the 2023/24 season. His experience and mentorship will undoubtedly be invaluable to the development of upcoming referees in Gambia,” said GFF.