GFA wants pitch invader surcharged for FIFA fine
Ghana’s Football Association (GFA) is taking decisive action against the pitch invader who disrupted the Black Stars' World Cup qualifier against Chad last Friday.
The GFA’s Safety and Security Committee has pressed charges of misdemeanour and is pushing for the culprit to be held financially responsible for the fine expected to be imposed on Ghana by FIFA.
In international football, pitch invasions attract heavy penalties, with fines starting from $10,000. The GFA is determined to make an example of the offender to deter future incidents.
Shocking Scene
The chaotic scene unfolded at the Accra Sports Stadium as the match was in progress.
In a moment of drama, the fan dashed onto the pitch, heading straight for Antoine Semenyo—seemingly desperate to embrace the striker in admiration for his goal and overall performance.
However, stewards and security officials reacted swiftly, chasing down the invader and removing him from the field.
The brief but embarrassing incident, witnessed live on television by millions, marked the fifth time in five years that Ghanaian football had suffered such a security breach.
A source close to the GFA committee revealed to Graphic Sports that the culprit was arrested and taken to the Ministries Police Station, where he was held in custody.
“This is happening far too often, and it’s unacceptable, especially during international matches broadcast worldwide. We cannot let this continue,” the source said.
“For once, we will push for the individual responsible to bear the financial consequences. Ghana will likely be fined $10,000 for this breach, and he must be surcharged accordingly,” it said.
Even if he is unable to pay the full amount, the committee is determined to ensure he contributes a significant portion as a deterrent to others.
Concerns have also been raised over security lapses at the stadium, with reports suggesting that some police officers stationed at the gates to the inner perimeter had momentarily taken their eyes off their duties, caught up in the excitement of the game.
“I can’t say exactly how it happened, but the officers assigned to that area clearly lost focus,” the source admitted.
“We had a thorough briefing before the game, ensuring that security protocols were in place. This kind of lapse should never occur,” it added.
Growing concern
Pitch invasions are becoming an all-too-frequent occurrence in Ghanaian football, posing serious safety risks to players, match officials and fans. Worse still, they expose Ghana to fines from football’s governing bodies.
Last September, two separate incidents disrupted Ghana’s AFCON 2025 qualifier against Angola in Kumasi. In the first half, a fan evaded security and sprinted onto the pitch to hug striker Jordan Ayew. He was quickly arrested, but that was not the end of the chaos.
After Ghana suffered a 1-0 defeat, furious fans stormed the pitch, vandalising stadium property in frustration.
A similar incident occurred in March 2023 when a pitch invader interrupted Ghana’s match against Angola, attempting to reach Mohammed Kudus. Ghana was subsequently fined $10,000 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The trend dates back even further. On November 14, 2019, a fan invaded the pitch in Cape Coast during Ghana’s 2-0 win over South Africa in an AFCON 2021 qualifier.
The culprit, 25-year-old nurse, Awal Suleman, was arrested and charged but later released.
He later admitted that his actions were a dare, promising to run onto the pitch if Ghana won by two goals to nil.
Security officials are now under increasing pressure to tighten enforcement and prevent future incidents.
The GFA’s firm stance signals a turning point—one that could finally bring an end to this growing menace.
