Aduana players blame referee for title miss

Players of Aduana Stars have accused referee Ali Alhassan of cheating them out of the 2015/2016 Ghana Premier League title after he awarded the winning penalty to Wa All Stars in the league decider.

Both teams headed into the clash level on points and victory for either side would have handed them the trophy.

The teams headed into the halftime break level after Aduana’s Bright Adjei cancelled Paul Asare de Vries early opener.

Referee Ali Alhassan gave Wa All Stars a penalty with seven minutes to go which midfielder Sadiq Alhassan converted to give his side a 2-1 win.

The decision saw Aduana’s playing body and technical team protest during the game by walking off the pitch, but they returned moments later.

Their star striker Yahaya Mohammed led the verbal attacks on the performance of the referee in a radio interview after the game.

“The referee was very bad, and this is why our league champions always struggle in Africa. The league title must be earned but if a referee helps you here and you don’t get same in Africa how can Ghana do well in the CAF Champions League.

“If that is the case then some of us will continue moving to Thailand because even in the EPL the small teams can go to the homes of the big clubs and win.”

Aduana goalie Joseph Addo and winger Richard Mpong also added their voice to the criticism of the referee’s performance.

Aduana will face Inter Allies on Sunday at Dormaa while All Stars face already relegated Hasaacas at Essipong.