GHANASoccernet.com can exclusively report that assistant referee AS Malik was handed a six-month ban for his howler in the final of the 2015 MTN Ghana FA Cup which Medeama won at the expense of Asante Kotoko last August.

The Tamale-based flagged Richard Mpong’s genuine equalizer on 66 minutes nearly marred the game after Medeama had taken a 2-1 lead.

This forced referee Joseph Lamptey to disallow the goal which could have pushed the finale into extra-time.

Malik could not explain whether it was a foul or offside and television replay showed Kotoko’s goal should have stood.

GHANASoccernet.com understands the ban took effect last year and the linesman should be returning to duty next month.

Malik is regarded of the one country’s finest and has officiated in Africa Cup of Nations finals and CAF inter-clubs competition matches.

Kwasi Donsu opened the scoring for Medeama before Ahmed Toure snatched the equalizer for the Porcupine Warriors, but substitute Bismark Oppong was the hero with the match winner on the hour mark.