Ghana coach James Kwesi Appiah says referee Baldomero Toledo swore at one of his players during the Black Stars’ Thursday friendly defeat to Mexico in Houston.
Elias Hernandez’s only goal lead Mexico over Ghana at NRG Stadium .
Speaking in his news conference following the match, Appiah first took issue with the fact that Toledo, a Mexican-American, was assigned to officiate the match against Mexico.
“Talking about the referee, I was really, really shocked that in a game like this they would allow a Mexican to be the centre referee when we were playing Mexico,” Appiah said. “I’m really, really surprised.
“I never knew about it until after the game. I heard that he was a Mexican-American. I mean, it doesn’t make any difference. If you’re Mexican, you’re Mexican.”
Appiah said Toledo, an MLS referee since 2004, used profanity toward one of his players.
“On top of that also, his behaviour on the pitch,” he said. “The surprising thing, you know, he used the F-word against one of my players. This is something that modern days, we don’t need such reactions from a referee.
“I don’t know who organised it but because there are so many referees in America here, I’m surprised that someone from Mexico should handle a Mexico game.”
Ghana next face the United States in a friendly in East Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday.
