Ghana FA hands referee Eso Doh Morrison eight-match ban for awarding ‘FAKE’ penalty to Aduana against Hearts of Oak

The referee who awarded a late penalty against the Phobians in their matchday three fixture has been slapped with eight-match ban and will return in February of 2022

Ghana Football Association’s match review panel has punished referee Eso Doh Morrison with eight-match ban following his poor decision in the game between Hearts of Oak and Aduana Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium a fortnight ago.

With Hearts leading 1-0, the referee insisted that Hearts defender Mohammed Alhassan was guilty of bringing down Aduana Stars forward Bright Agyei by the 78th minute and therefore awarded Aduana a penalty and subsequently sent of Mohammed.

Agyei stepped up and scored the resulting penalty which left Hearts players and officials fuming after the game. The club officially lodged a complaint with Ghana Football Association.

SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT

1. In the 23rd minute of the 1st half, Adam Farouk of Aduana FC brought down Daniel Afriyie Barnieh in the eighteen-yard box which referee Morrison failed to award a penalty to
   Hearts of Oak.
2. Again Adam Farouk broke down a goal scoring attack by bringing down Kofi Kordzi in the 73rd minute of the 2nd half.
3. Mohammed Alhassan was sent off by referee Morrison without committing foul. Bright Adjei of Aduana FC missed his step and fell in the 78th minute.
4. The Match Commissioner (Charles Darkwah) sat in the presidential box at the stadium disfranchising Hearts of Oak from channeling their concerns to him.

OBSERVATIONS, FINDINGS AND GROUNDS OF THE DECISION
Per the video watched, the 23rd minute complaint did not show any clear contact of the two players
involved in the tackle.
In the 63rd minute, there was a clear contact in the tackle between player of Heart No. 9 and Aduana player No. 24, but the referee rather judged it as a fair tackle instead of a foul. The referee
erred.

In the 78th minute incident, player No. 15 of Hearts of Oak and player number 10 of Aduana were involved in contesting for the ball in the penalty area of Hearts of Oak. The referee awarded a penalty and a red card against the Hearts player number 15. This in our view was a wrong decision taken by the referee.

REFEREE’S OFFICIAL RESPONSE/DEFENCE

In talking to the referee, he tried to defend every action and decision he took during the match even when all the actions were replayed to him in the video clips.

DECISION(S)
The referee (Eso Doh Morrison) is hereby suspended for eight (8) matchdays effective from the date of communication for the multiple errors committed during the match.