Medeama sack ball boy after touchline clash as GFA charges Hearts assistant coach Gazale Abdulai

Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC have dismissed a ball retriever following a heated altercation involving Hearts of Oak assistant coach Gazale Abdulai and an unauthorised post-match media interview after Sunday’s 1–0 victory over the Phobians in Tarkwa, GHANAsoccernet.com Headquarters can exclusively report. 

The ball boy, identified as Kofi, has been removed from his role by Medeama with immediate effect after the incident, which has sparked widespread debate across the football community. The club’s decision was taken as part of efforts to uphold discipline and professionalism, with officials reportedly unhappy about both his conduct during the match and his unsanctioned comments to the media afterward.

The flashpoint occurred during the tense league match at the TnA Stadium, when Gazale Abdulai, a former Asante Kotoko head coach, confronted the ball boy for allegedly delaying the restart of play. According to accounts after the match, the ball retriever admitted to kicking the ball away as Gazale attempted to collect it and pass it to a Hearts of Oak player.

The situation escalated when the Hearts assistant coach was alleged to have slapped the ball boy, who in turn admitted to striking Gazale in retaliation. Video footage of the incident, which has since gone viral on social media, shows Gazale chasing the ball boy along the touchline, drawing widespread attention and condemnation.

Match officials intervened, and referee disciplinary action saw Gazale Abdulai sent off during the game. Medeama went on to secure a narrow win through a second-half strike from Salim Adams.

In the aftermath, Medeama SC moved swiftly to distance itself from the controversy, confirming that the ball boy will no longer perform matchday duties for the club. The decision underscores the club’s resolve to maintain order and discipline as they push for the league title.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has charged Gazale Abdulai over the incident. In a statement issued as part of its regulatory update for the 2025/2026 season, the GFA confirmed that the Hearts of Oak assistant coach has been charged with breaching Article 12(1)(h) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, 2019, which relates to assault.

The FA has assured the football public that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and that appropriate sanctions will be applied in line with the regulations.

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