Hearts of Oak midfielder Mohammed Hussein has issued a public apology to the referee, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), his club and supporters following his misconduct at the end of Sunday’s Super Clash against Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.
In an emotional personal statement released on Monday, Hussein acknowledged that his actions after the final whistle were “unacceptable” and took full responsibility for confronting the match official. The incident occurred moments after Hearts of Oak suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to their arch-rivals Kotoko, a match marked by high intensity both on and off the pitch.
Hussein, who said he felt he had been “persistently fouled without protection”, admitted that frustration got the better of him.
“In that moment of emotion, I allowed frustration to cloud my judgment. Instead of showing restraint and respect, I reacted wrongly and I regret it deeply,” he said. “My actions do not reflect who I am as a person, nor the values I hold as a professional footballer.”
He extended a direct apology to the referee involved, praising the “difficult role” officials play in maintaining fairness and order in the game.
The midfielder also expressed gratitude to Hearts of Oak supporters, acknowledging their unwavering loyalty, and conceded that his behaviour fell short of the standards expected by the club and its fans.
“To the GFA, my club, my teammates, and our loyal fans, I promise to learn from this painful experience,” he said. “I will work harder to remain calm under pressure, to honour the Phobia badge I love, and to uphold the dignity of our beautiful game.”
The GFA is expected to review the incident as part of its ongoing disciplinary processes.
Hussein said he remains committed to making amends and hopes his future conduct will reflect the lessons learned from the episode.
