Ghana closes stadium after league violence

The Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has ordered the temporary closure of the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium in Cape Coast following violent scenes during a Premier League match over the weekend.

The match officials who handled the Week 19 Glo Premiership clash involving Ebusua Dwarfs and Aduana Stars were alleged to have been assaulted by fans, which led to their being hospitalized after the match, an action which has attracted pockets of condemnations from the GFA, the Referees Association of Ghana (RAG) and football enthusiasts.

In a statement, the GFA said the decision to close down the stadium was in accordance with Article 15 (2) of its regulations, which states “the GFA may order the closure of any league centre where the safety of Clubs, match officials or spectators cannot be guaranteed.

“We are by a copy of this letter asking the Premier League Board (PLB) to determine the venue for the Club’s subsequent home matches in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 (3) of the Regulations. This decision is without prejudice to a determination of the case by the Disciplinary Committee,” the GFA statement noted.

The next home game of Ebusua Dwarfs is against league leaders Kumasi Asante Kotoko on March 25 and the PLB has been tasked with deciding a venue pending the outcome of the sitting by the Disciplinary Committee later.

Meanwhile, the Disciplinary Committee has been charged to hear the case in accordance with the regulations of the GFA.

Source: GNA