The Ghana Premier League match between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC at Nana Koramansah Park on February 2, 2025, was marred by hooliganism, which the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has harshly denounced.
The unfortunate murder of a Kotoko supporter, numerous injuries, and property devastation resulted from the violent fights.
In a statement, the GFA called the incident “an unacceptable blemish on the integrity of our game” and offered its sincere sympathies to the survivors’ families.
Home stadium of Nsoatreman FC is subject to an immediate ban.
The GFA Executive Committee has implemented an indefinite ban on Nsoatreman FC’s home ground by invoking Article 14(2) of the Premier League Regulations as part of urgent measures.
The statement said, “This action ensures the safety of all stakeholders while investigations proceed.”
The GFA has also assigned the FA Prosecutors and its Security Committee, which is headed by DCOP Lydia Donkor, to visit the location and collect all relevant documentation and match reports, among other evidence, to submit to the FA’s Disciplinary Committee for the resolution of all athletic disputes.
In addition to taking internal actions, the GFA has formally asked the Ghana Police Service to look into the violent episodes in further detail.
“We expect law enforcement agencies to deploy all necessary tools to ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the statement added.
Violence, intimidation, and hooliganism are not tolerated in Ghanaian football, the GFA reminded all clubs, players, officials, and supporters.
“The FA will not hesitate to impose severe sanctions on any club, official, or supporter found culpable of engaging in or inciting such behaviour,” the statement said.
The GFA promised the public that more information will be released soon, including the results of the police investigation and judgments made by its Disciplinary Committee.
This is in reaction to Kotoko’s official statement, which detailed a number of security lapses, including injuries to Kotoko’s Head of Media, a physical attack on goalie Mohammed Camara, and missile attacks on the team’s bench.
Additionally, the club acknowledged that one of its fans was stabbed and passed away at Sunyani Hospital.
Stakeholders are optimistic that stronger security measures would be implemented in order to stop tragedies like these from happening again in Ghanaian football, as the GFA is acting quickly.
Source: newsthemegh.com