The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially levelled disciplinary charges against Division One League side Golden Kick FC and their head coach, Nii Parker Hanson, following events surrounding their 2-1 defeat to Asante Kotoko in the final of the 2024/25 MTN FA Cup.
The final, played on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, saw the Porcupine Warriors edge past the lower-tier side in a tense encounter that was not without controversy.
The game drew a significant crowd and was widely praised for Golden Kick’s spirited performance against the Ghana Premier League giants. However, the aftermath has been marred by disciplinary concerns, prompting swift action from the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee.
Head coach of Golden Kick FC, Nii Parker Hanson, has been charged with misconduct, specifically for post-match comments that the GFA believes brought the game into disrepute.
According to the statement released on Monday by the Disciplinary Committee, Coach Hanson’s remarks about the match officials were deemed inappropriate and in violation of the Division One League Regulations.
Although the specific statements have not been made public, sources indicate that Hanson openly questioned the integrity and competence of the referees during his post-match media engagements.
The GFA emphasized that while criticism is part of the game, public comments that undermine the authority or impartiality of match officials threaten the credibility of competitions and go against the core principles of respect and fair play.
“The coach’s conduct, particularly his public comments targeting the referees, contravenes Articles 12 and 34 of the Division One League Regulations. Such actions have the potential to incite unrest among supporters and lower the confidence in our officiating structure.”
Ghana Footbal Association
Coach Hanson has until Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to formally respond to the charge and submit any defense or mitigating statements. Failure to respond could result in a default ruling by the Committee, which may include fines, suspension, or other disciplinary measures.
Golden Kick Charged Separately
In a separate development, Golden Kick FC as a club has also been cited for several disciplinary infractions stemming from both on-field and off-field conduct during and after the match.
The Disciplinary Committee revealed that the club faces charges under both the GFA Disciplinary Code and the Division One League Regulations.
Key among the allegations is the misconduct of some supporters, who were reported to have thrown objects onto the pitch during the latter stages of the match — a dangerous act that the GFA views with utmost seriousness.
Additionally, the club is accused of publishing social media content that targeted and criticized match officials in a manner the GFA described as “potentially inflammatory and damaging to the integrity of the competition.”
The exact nature of the posts has not been disclosed, but they reportedly included strong insinuations of biased officiating.
“The behaviour of the club’s fans and its conduct on social media constitute violations of Article 11(2)(b) and Article 11(2)(d) of the GFA Disciplinary Code. We must preserve the image of our competitions, and all stakeholders, including clubs, are expected to act with responsibility and decorum.”
Ghana Footbal Association
Golden Kick FC has also been granted until Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to respond to the charges.
The GFA made it clear that any failure to do so would allow the Disciplinary Committee to proceed with the case and rule in absentia, potentially resulting in heavy sanctions, including fines, bans on supporters, or even points deductions in future competitions.
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