Asante Kotoko have taken disciplinary action against assistant coach Diogo Peral following his confrontation with Medeama defender Ebenezer Adade during their 1-1 draw on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The incident occurred at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium when Peral was sent off for slapping Adade. The club has imposed a fine on Peral, although the amount has not been disclosed.
According to Asante Kotoko, Peral has acknowledged that he could have handled the situation better and conducted himself more professionally. The club stated that Peral's behaviour did not represent the values and standards of the team. The decision to fine Peral was part of the club's internal disciplinary measures to maintain professionalism and discipline.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has also charged Peral over the alleged assault and given him until November 4, 2026, to respond. The incident was captured on video, showing Peral slapping Adade after the Medeama player tried to wrestle the ball from him. The referee subsequently showed Peral a red card.
The match between Asante Kotoko and Medeama ended in a 1-1 draw, with Medeama taking the lead through Usman Safianu in the 42nd minute and Kotoko captain Musah Hamzata scoring an equaliser shortly after the restart. The result left Medeama at the top of the league table with 18 points, while Kotoko moved to ninth position with 13 points.
Asante Kotoko has urged its supporters and stakeholders to continue backing the team as it remains focused on its objectives for the season. The club stressed that it will continue to uphold its standards and values, and that Peral's conduct was not in line with these expectations.
The incident has sparked a discussion about the behaviour of coaches and players in the Ghana Premier League. The GFA's decision to charge Peral is seen as a move to maintain discipline and professionalism in the league. Peral's fine and the GFA's charges serve as a reminder to coaches and players of the importance of maintaining a high level of professionalism.
Asante Kotoko will look to move up the league table in their upcoming matches, while Medeama will aim to maintain their lead. The incident between Peral and Adade has highlighted the need for coaches and players to manage their emotions and conduct themselves professionally, even in high-pressure situations.
Key points
- Asante Kotoko assistant coach Diogo Peral has been fined by the club for slapping Medeama player Ebenezer Adade during a 1-1 Ghana Premier League draw.
- The GFA has also charged Peral over the alleged assault and given him until November 4, 2026, to respond.
- The incident has sparked a discussion about the behaviour of coaches and players in the Ghana Premier League.
