GFA charges Kotoko assistant coach Diogo Peral over slap on Medeama player Ebenezer Adade

Asante Kotoko's assistant coach Diogo Peral is in serious trouble with football authorities after the Ghana Football Association's Disciplinary Committee formally charged him for physically assaulting Medeama SC player Ebenezer Adade during a Ghana Premier League fixture at the Baba Yara Stadium over the weekend.

The incident, which shocked onlookers and officials at the stadium, saw Peral slap Adade — an act that immediately earned the Portuguese coach a red card and an early exit from the touchline. Footage and match reports indicate the confrontation was sparked when Adade appeared to make contact with Peral while trying to retrieve the ball quickly for a throw-in or restart. Rather than stepping aside, Peral responded by slapping the player, a reaction widely condemned as wholly unacceptable from a technical team member.

The charge and what happens next

The GFA has communicated to Peral that he has been charged under Article 12(1)(h) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, which deals with conduct that is considered violent or offensive on the field of play and its immediate surrounds. He has been given until Wednesday, 4th November to formally respond to the charge.

Kotoko, for their part, had already announced internally that disciplinary action — including a financial fine — had been imposed on Peral at club level. The GFA's separate charge means the assistant coach now faces a potential double sanction: one from his own club and another from the game's governing body in Ghana, which could include a touchline ban that would keep him from performing his duties during matches.

Why it matters for Ghana football

The incident raises uncomfortable questions about conduct and professionalism on the touchlines of the Ghana Premier League. Coaches and technical staff are expected to model composure and discipline — qualities they routinely demand from players — yet physical altercations involving the dugout remain a recurring concern in Ghanaian football. The GFA's decision to act swiftly and formally charge Peral sends an important signal that such behaviour will not be tolerated, regardless of the stature of the club involved.

For Asante Kotoko specifically, the timing could not be worse. The Porcupine Warriors are enduring a difficult run of form, picking up just a draw in their last two Ghana Premier League outings. That point against Medeama leaves them sitting ninth on the league table with 13 points — a disappointing position for a club of their size and expectation. With a fixture against Berekum Chelsea coming up next, Kotoko will be desperate to return to winning ways, and the last thing their technical team needs is further distraction from off-field controversies.

• The incident is also a test of how consistently the GFA enforces its Disciplinary Code across all clubs — big or small. Fans and administrators across the country will be watching keenly to see what punishment, if any, is ultimately handed down to Peral.
• Should a touchline ban be imposed, it would force Kotoko head coach to manage matchday affairs with a depleted technical bench, adding to the pressure on a side already struggling to find their stride in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

Kotoko's season under the spotlight

Beyond the disciplinary saga, Asante Kotoko's wider league campaign demands attention. Sitting ninth is well below where supporters of Ghana's most decorated club expect to be at this stage. The club's management and coaching staff will need to restore calm and focus quickly if they are to mount any serious challenge as the season progresses. Their next assignment against Berekum Chelsea presents an opportunity to arrest the slide — but only if the drama surrounding Peral does not overshadow preparations on the training pitch.