The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Club Licensing Board has rejected the home venues of Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, and five other clubs due to safety concerns, just days before the resumption of the Ghana Premier League on March 7.
The board cited issues related to inadequate security measures and a failure to meet basic safety standards as the reasons for the rejection. The affected clubs now face a race against time to either rectify the deficiencies at their home grounds or seek alternative venues before the league resumes.
Clubs Affected and Safety Concerns
Among the notable clubs affected are Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak whose venues are the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Sports Stadium respectively both of whom regularly attract large crowds to their matches. The other five clubs have not been officially named, but sources suggest that multiple teams across the country have been impacted.
The decision means that these clubs will be unable to host games at their designated home venues unless immediate remedial actions are taken and approved by the GFA Club Licensing Board.
Implications for the League
With the Ghana Premier League set to resume in three days, this development could disrupt fixture schedules and force affected teams to relocate to neutral venues. This may affect club revenues, as teams could miss out on crucial gate proceeds.
Fans have expressed mixed reactions, with some supporting the GFA’s strict stance on safety, while others worry about the logistical challenges this decision brings.
Source: Sporty FM
