Franklin Akumatey- the center-man for Kotoko's 2022/23 Ghana Premier League match-week 13 clash with Bibiani GoldStars last Monday has apologized for his awkward performance on the day, in what many a football faithful described as a 'total cheat.
The champions played out to a thrilling 1-1 stalemate with the Miners at the Dun's Park- in a tie the performance of the match officials were really below par and sparked so much rage everywhere in the country.
The Porcupine Warriors opened the scoring account in the first half through Ugandan international Steven Mukwala.
But two controversial penalties were given to GoldStars subsequently in the second half with goalkeeper Frederick Asare rising to the occasion to deny all the two though he wasn't lucky with the first to aid Kotoko runout with a point from Bibiani.
The astonishing part is that, the first penalty given to the homesters went off the hand of their own player and had to be a foul against them instead.
In an interview with Kessben FM/TV in Kumasi, Franklin Akumatey has admitted his calls were very wrong on the day and stated he would have rescinded his decisions if the Video Assistant Replay was to be available.
He apologised to entire Kotoko fraternity and added he is ever ready for any punishment that will follow as a results of his poor display. He said;
“The truth is it was human error, when both players jumped in the air and the header from the attacker I saw the hand that touched the ball to be that of the defender, I was so sure of it."
“It was after that game that I watched the video and realized it was a wrong call to award such a penalty to Goldstars. I would have reversed the decision if I had a Video Assistant Referee (VAR). “I wished there was a VAR at the Dun's Park to rescind my decision of awarding a penalty to Bibiani Goldstars,”
“It was a big mistake and I admit for making such decision. I didn't get any support from my colleagues [match officials] to make a concrete decision on the penalty”
“I want to apologize to Asante Kotoko and its stakeholders for the blunders, I've not been myself since Monday afternoon. I am ready for any punishment from the Ghana Football Association Match Review Panel”
