Assistant Coach of Hearts of Oak Abdulai Gazale has issued an unqualified apology to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), management of the club, and the football community at large over his reaction in the dying minutes of the 1-0 loss to Medeama SC on Matchday 17.
Gazale was captured in a viral video rushing to attack a ball retriever but restrained by security officials and some members of Hearts of Oak’s backroom staff.
He acknowledged that he allowed his emotions to get the better of him.
The former Basake Holy Stars coach has since been charged by the GFA and expected to respond by Thursday, January 8.
“Although I was struck by the ball retriever while urging a quick restart, my reaction was wrong,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday, January 6.
“It does not reflect who I am, nor the standards expected of me as a professional coach.
“I sincerely apologise to the Ghana Football Association, the Management of Accra Hearts of Oak, my colleagues, our supporters, and the wider football community. I take full responsibility for my actions.”
He explained that he was frustrated because time-wasting to him was a denial of an opportunity to equalise.
He admitted that he could have addressed the situation through the appropriate means “and not through emotion”.
“I will learn from this painful moment,” he promised, assuring that he will from hence be composed under pressure in honour of the Phobian badge “and to upholding the dignity of the beautiful game”.
He concluded: “Once again, I offer my heartfelt apologies to all affected. I promise this will not happen again.”
