Asante Kotoko midfielder Richmond Lamptey has revealed that he was on the brink of retiring from football at just 25 years old due to the emotional toll of a match-fixing ban imposed on him.
Lamptey, who faced a 30-month ban for his alleged involvement in a match-fixing incident, expressed how the ban had a profound impact on his mental and emotional well-being.
Lamptey was banned by the Ghana Football Association for AshantiGold’s 7-0 win over Inter Allies in July 2021, which an investigation revealed was a fixed match.
The former Inter Allies captain appealed the decision, and with the help of Kotoko, the ban was successfully overturned at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Reflecting on the trying period, Lamptey opened up about the challenges he faced and the thoughts that crossed his mind. “It was very painful. Since the issue came up, I haven’t really spoken about it. It was a really difficult time for me,” Lamptey shared in an interview with Asante Kotoko media.
“The way my parents were lamenting, it was painful to see. It really affected my game, going out became a problem for me and even when I go on social media and see some comments, I get discouraged. There was a point I was contemplating retirement.”
Lamptey expressed gratitude towards the club’s management for their unwavering support throughout the ordeal. “I want to thank management for taking the issue to CAS and I feel vindicated now,” he stated, relieved that the ban had been lifted and his name cleared.