‘GFA Ban is not the reason Ref Padi resigned’ – Attifu

Retired Ghanaian Referee Thomas Attifu has denied widespread reports that embattled Referee Joseph Kennedy Padi decided to resign from officiating due to his recent suspension by the Ghana FA.

Padi was banned for the rest of the season following the GFA Match Review Panel’s verdict that his penalty decision in the Ghana Premier League Match-day 24 Super Clash in favour of Asante Kotoko, was a wrong call.

According to the National Referees Instructor, Padi had already decided to end his career as a match-official before the start of this season’s Ghana Premier League.

“Kennedy as at last year during their fitness test had decided that after the 2021/22 season, he would not continue so I don’t know why it would be written by any journalist that he has resigned because of the suspension. The tendency of him resigning was something I already knew about,” Thomas Attifu told Accra based Happy FM.

The initial report of Padi’s imminent retirement was revealed by retired Ghanaian Referee Eric Owusu Mensah on Kumasi based Kessben FM, where he stated that Kenny still does not regret his decision to award that penalty to Kotoko.