The Ghana Football Association has banned newly promoted Betpawa Ghana Premier League side Bofoakwa Tano from playing their home games at the Sunyani Coronation Park.
This decision from the FA is as a result of the assault Nsoatreman FC Coach Maxwell Konadu,players and other officials suffered at the hands of some Bofoakwa Tano fans last weekend.
The decision is in line with the GFA Premier League Regulations Article 14(2), which among other things states that “the GFA may order the closure of any league center where the safety of clubs, match officials, or spectators cannot be guaranteed.”
In compliance with Article 14(3) of the Premier League Regulations, it is therefore recommended that the Competitions Department choose the location for the Club’s upcoming home games.
The GFA further condemned the act and issued a caution to supporters of other clubs to desist from such acts in an official statement.
The GFA notes the unacceptable conduct of the supporters of the home team, Bofoakwa Tano FC and condemns same, without any reservations, the violations of the provisions of the GFA the Safety and Security Regulations and the Premier League Regulations which took place at the match.
This order is however without prejudice to the determination of the case pending before the Disciplinary Committee who have been charged to hear the case in accordance with the relevant Regulations.
“The GFA Prosecutors have been tasked to study all the video evidence and the match reports and prefer appropriate Charges immediately and for the Disciplinary Committee to sit on this matter expeditiously.The GFA demands that Bofoakwa Tano FC shall immediately assist the Regional Police to cause the arrest of the persons involved in this attack on the away team, and the holding of the match officials hostage, without fail, in accordance with the promise given by the clubs to the Inspector General of Police in our engagement with the leadership of the Ghana Police Service.”
“The Association has instructed the Competitions Department to fix the venues for the upcoming home matches of Bofoakwa Tano FC, until the case is determined, with due regard to the distance to be travelled by the away teams (note that matches can be fixed at the home of the away team if required).All clubs are to take note and comply strictly with the Safety & Security Regulations and the GFA Disciplinary Code.The GFA wishes to sound a strong note of caution to all members (especially all clubs) that the slightest harassment or attack on Players, Team Officials, Match Officials (Referees, Match Commissioners, GFA Cameramen and Women, Venue Media Officers, the sports media) shall be dealt with severely and swiftly.”the GFA’s official statement reads.
Further investigations and measures are being put in place to ensure that all culprits involved in the assault are punished and that the situation never happens again.
