Hearts Of Oak file protest against referee Kennedy Padi after Kotoko defeat

Hearts of Oak has filed a protest to the Ghana FA against referee Kennedy Padi over the ‘controversial penalty’ awarded to Asante Kotoko in their Ghana Premier League match-day 24 in Kumasi on Sunday.

The Phobian club wants the GFA Review Committee to re-examine the penalty decision and take immediate action against Referee Padi to deter other match officials from exercising poor discretion in decision making during games.

Hearts of Oak’s painful 0-1 loss to leaders Asante Kotoko in Kumasi, means the points gap between the sworn rivals on the log sheet has now stretched to 16, with ten games to end the season.

The narrow defeat has reduced Hearts of Oak’s chances of defending the GPL title, forcing Coach Samuel Boadu to admit he would be pursuing a Top 4 finish and an MTN FA Cup crown retention.