By Adwoa Asantewaa
For the first time in the history of Ghana football, a referee has admitted to his blunder.
Fifa referee Cecil Fletcher admits he erred by not awarding Hearts of Oak an earlier penalty in their 1-0 win over rivals Kotoko in a league match on Sunday.
His decision to disallow the goal attracted severe criticism from fans in the highly charged game between the arch rival.
But the Fifa approved match judge admitted to the error after watch television replays of the game.
"There were three opposing players sandwiched between myself and the player who committed the offence. Inasmuch as a penalty was not taken, it doesn't mean it's intentional," Fletcher explained in an email to the Graphic Sports.
But Fleischer was apt to point to the penalty spot on 63 minutes after a Kotoko defender handled the ball inside the box which was later converted by Douglas Nkrumah.
The Takoradi-based referee however defended his decision to disallow two first half goals scored by Hearts midfielder Obed Ansah, insisting the player was in an offside position in the first instance and used his hand to score the second.
His decision to admit that he was at fault by failing to award the penalty has been hailed by the Ghanaian media.
Ghanaian referees rarely explain controversial decisions they take which sometimes lead to crowd violence.
Some match officials are considered corrupt by some fans as they don't account for their misdeeds.
Calls are now ringing out for openness which Fletcher has done to curb corruption allegations levelled against match officials.