GFA bans Kotoko from Baba Yara Sports Stadium

The Ghana FA has handed a temporary home ban to Asante Kotoko following the violent incidents that occurred during the team’s match against Berekum Chelsea in the Ghana Premier League this past weekend.

The Ghana FA in a statement said the ban was based on Article 14 (2) of its regulations which highlights the safety of match centres.

The article states that: “the GFA may order the closure of any league centre/venue where the safety of clubs, match officials and/or spectators cannot be guaranteed.”

The association said the ban is in place “pending the adjudication of the matter by the GFA Disciplinary Committee.”

The GFA added that it shall “prefer charges against any person/party found to have breached any provision of the GFA Regulations or Disciplinary Code.”

Fans of the team were seen in various video clips hurling missiles onto the Baba Yara Stadium pitch to show their displeasure at a refereeing decision taken by centre referee, Charles Bulu.

The fans’ displeasure led to more crowd trouble after the match in which a Kotoko fan was hit with a rubber bullet after being shot by a police officer.

The injured person is currently on admission at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital receiving treatment and is in a stable condition while the officer who shot the fan has been interdicted by the Police Service.

Below is the statement from the Ghana FA:

Following incidents at the Baba Yara Stadium during Asante Kotoko’s Premier League match with Berekum Chelsea on Sunday, the GFA Executive Council has decided to temporarily ban Asante Kotoko from playing its matches at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium pending the adjudication of the matter by the GFA Disciplinary Committee.

The GFA Executive Council at its meeting on Monday, January 13, 2020, decided to trigger the provision of Article 14(2) of the GFA Premier League Regulations.

Article 14 (2) of the GFA Premier League Regulations states that: “the GFA may order the closure of any league centre/venue where the safety of clubs, match officials and/or spectators cannot be guaranteed.”

The GFA Prosecutor shall prefer charges against any person/party found to have breached any provision of the GFA Regulations or Disciplinary Code.