GFA slaps swift suspension on referee Kenny Padi after ‘dubious’ penalty call in Kotoko vs Hearts game

Referee Kenny Padi, the referee who handled the second installment of Ghana’s version of the El Classico between Hearts and Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, has been suspended for the rest of the season.

The centre referee was slapped with the heavy punishment on the back of a contentious penalty he awarded to Asante Kotoko which resulted in the only goal of the Super Clash on April 10.

The punishment means Kenny Padi will not be eligible to officiate any Ghana Football Association-organized match for the remainder of the season.

“The Panel concluded that per the video watched, the referee’s defense is in contrast.

“Per the video watched the Panel holds the view that the referee erred in awarding the penalty. “This error changed the outcome of the match. Therefore, the Referee Joseph Kenny Padi is suspended for the rest of the season. This includes all GFA-organized matches,” a statement from the Ghana FA said on Wednesday.

The defending league champions who felt the brunt of the contentious decision took to Twitter to express their satisfaction on the back of the swift judgment meted out by the Review Panel of the Ghana Football Association.

Source: Sports Brief