The Asante Kotoko Global Supporters Council has denounced refereeing mistakes after the team was held to a goalless draw with Bibiani Gold Stars in match week 19 of the Ghana Premier League last Saturday.
Kotoko supporters were frustrated during the match at Dun's Park when Accra-based referee Julian Nunoo disallowed a headed goal by defender Samba O'Neil, despite match footage showing it was a clear goal.
The Asante Kotoko supporters group decried that they have consistently suffered poor officiating whenever they visit Bibiani Gold Stars, citing that the same incident occurred last season when referee Robert Musey ruled out a last-minute goal by the Porcupine Warriors. They also mentioned that in the 2023/24 season, a dubious penalty was awarded against Kotoko, with some journalists calling the decision "shocking".
"Over three consecutive seasons, Asante Kotoko has suffered decisive and materially prejudicial officiating decisions at the same venue (Bibiani Park), each occurring at critical late stages of matches," said Sir Frederick Kwaku Fosu, Spokesperson of the Asante Kotoko Global Supporters Council, during a press conference at their office in Kumasi.
"These incidents are verifiable, supported by match footage and official records, and cannot reasonably be dismissed as isolated errors. The pattern, repetition, timing, and venue consistency demands serious institutional scrutiny."
The leadership of the supporters group, led by former Asante Kotoko National Circles Council chief Kwaku Amponsah, popularly known as Chairman K5, said in a four-page statement on Monday that the Ghana Football Association should commission an independent review of the incidents at Bibiani and ensure transparency in the findings and recommendations of the referees committee.
The Supporters Group also expressed grave concerns regarding the remarks of Ghana FA Referees Manager Alex Kotei, particularly in relation to controversial decisions affecting Asante Kotoko.
"This statement is not an attack on individuals. It is a lawful, principled, and necessary protest in defense of football integrity. Football credibility rests on fairness, fairness demands transparency, and transparency requires accountability," the statement read.
The Kotoko Supporters Group indicated that the management of the club is fully aware of the press conference in the wake of the poor refereeing performance at Dun's Park on Saturday.
The Porcupine Warriors sit eight points adrift of the league summit as they prepare to lock horns with Basake Holy Stars in their next Premier League fixture.
