Asante Kotoko has made a passionate plea to its arch-rivals, Hearts of Oak, to join forces in combating the growing menace of hooliganism in Ghanaian football. This call to action comes after a tragic incident during their Ghana Premier League match against Nsoatreman at Nsoatre on Sunday, which resulted in the fatal stabbing of a well-known Asante Kotoko supporter, Francis Yaw Frimpong, popularly known as Nana Pooley.
The incident occurred during the matchday 19 fixture, when a confrontation between players escalated into a violent brawl just seven minutes into the second half. In response, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has imposed a ban on Nsoatreman FC from using their home ground, the Nana Koromansah II Park, for league matches. Three individuals, including former Member of Parliament and Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, have been arrested in connection with the incident and are expected to be arraigned before court.
Asante Kotoko has suspended its participation in league matches until justice is served and has called on Hearts of Oak and other clubs to unite in addressing hooliganism in football. The club emphasized that it is time to end the cycle of violence, hooliganism, and lawlessness that threatens the integrity of the game.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has assured Asante Kotoko that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. A high-level discussion between the Ghana Police Service and the GFA is scheduled for Wednesday to further address the issue.
Asante Kotoko's decision to withdraw from the league has been met with support from fans and stakeholders, who believe that drastic measures are needed to address the growing problem of hooliganism in Ghanaian football. The club's plea to Hearts of Oak and other clubs to join forces in combating hooliganism highlights the urgent need for collective action to restore safety and integrity to the sport.
Key Developments
- GFA Ban: Nsoatreman FC has been banned from using their home ground for league matches.
- Arrests: Three individuals, including former Member of Parliament Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
- Asante Kotoko's Withdrawal: The club has suspended its participation in league matches until justice is served.
- Call to Action: Asante Kotoko has called on Hearts of Oak and other clubs to unite in addressing hooliganism in football.
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