Golden Kick and head coach Nii Parker Hanson have been formally charged by the Ghana Football Association Disciplinary Committee over separate misconduct during their FA Cup final game against Kotoko on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
On the side of coach Hanson, he alleged that his team lost to Asante Kotoko due to a controversial penalty decision by the match officials, which he claimed ended their pursuit of their first-ever MTN FA Cup after a remarkable run of performances throughout the tournament.
The final match saw Kotoko take an early lead with a header from Kwame Opoku, but Bless Ege responded with a stunning free-kick to level the score. The game appeared to be heading for a draw as regulation time drew near until a decision by the center referee, Selorm Yao Bless, changed the course of the match. The referee awarded Kotoko a penalty after Opoku went down in the box during an attempt to gather the ball, a call that has sparked controversy and debate among fans and analysts.
Following the match, Hanson made comments criticizing the officiating, which the GFA claims breaches the regulations governing conduct after a match. The Disciplinary Committee assesses that his post-match remarks constitute misconduct that could bring the integrity of the game into disrepute. Hanson has been given until Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to respond to the charges formally, as part of the disciplinary process.
In another development, Golden Kick FC has been cited for several violations of the GFA Disciplinary Code and the Division One League Regulations as per GFA’s statement it’s alleged that supporters of Golden Kick FC threw objects onto the field of play during their game against Kotoko.
The incident has added to ongoing discussions about officiating standards in Ghanaian football, with many fans and stakeholders questioning the fairness of some decisions in high-stakes matches. Hanson’s comments have further fuelled the debate, prompting the GFA to caution against any statements that may undermine the credibility of referees and officials involved in the sport.