The founding father of Wallidan FC, Alhaji OB Conateh, has dismissed claims made by some football coaches that referees favour Gambian high-profile clubs including the newly crowned champions Armed Forces.

The soldiers, who still have a game in hand, were confirmed Gambia champions on May 21 after a 1-0 win over Tallinding United. The crown is Armed Forces' first league title in six years and second since their promotion to the premier tier of Gambia football league. Though the soldiers were made to sweat for the league success, some club coaches, including Wallidan head coach Foday Bah, have made stinging attack on referees, saying they helped Armed Forces win the title. But OB Conateh, the former president of the Gambia Football Association rubbished these suggestions, saying Armed Forces deserved the crown.

"It is unfair to say any particular team gets better treatment from referees. I think it makes their jobs more challenging," he said. "Armed Forces deserved the title. They were consistent throughout the campaign and the massive point difference between them and second-place team shows that they [Armed Forces] raise their performance to a very high level." Conateh admitted that top teams in every league are labeled as referees' favourites by the lower clubs, but added that it's not a fair judgement. "Top clubs are always criticized for being favoured by referee. Look at Manchester United in England. Opponents always claim that United are referees' idols but this is not the case." "We must give credit where it is due. Armed Forces performed to expectations, therefore they deserve a tap on the back," Conateh concluded.