Asante Kotoko Condemns Violence at Ghana Premier League Match
Asante Kotoko has issued a strong condemnation of the violent incidents that marred their Ghana Premier League Matchweek 19 fixture against Nsoatreman FC at the Nana Koramansah Park. The team faced hostility from the moment of their arrival at the stadium, with confrontations from some home supporters. Despite these challenges, Asante Kotoko remained committed to fair competition and proceeded with the game in the spirit of sportsmanship.
However, the actions of the home crowd during the match were deemed completely unacceptable by Asante Kotoko. Missiles were thrown at their bench multiple times, creating an unsafe environment for players and officials. The situation escalated when the Head of Media suffered a serious ear injury after being struck by an object. In a shocking turn of events, some supporters invaded the pitch and physically attacked the goalkeeper, Mohammed Camara, while also hurling missiles at him.
Reports also indicated that media personnel and supporters from Kumasi were attacked during the violent incident. Tragically, one of Asante Kotoko’s supporters succumbed to injuries sustained during the violence. The loss of life is deeply saddening, and Asante Kotoko extends their condolences to the victim’s family, friends, and the entire Asante Kotoko community.
The violent scenes also resulted in extensive damage to the club’s equipment, including laptops and communication devices used by the technical team. Asante Kotoko emphasized the urgent need for stronger security measures at league venues to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Despite the security breaches, Asante Kotoko continued and completed the game out of respect for fairness and the integrity of the competition. The club expressed deep concern over the persistence of hooliganism in the league, which puts players, officials, media personnel, and supporters at risk.
Asante Kotoko pledged full cooperation with the Ghana Football Association in any investigations and called for swift and firm action against those responsible for the violence. The club emphasized the importance of playing football in a secure and fair environment, urging all stakeholders to take decisive steps to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the sport.
The Asante Kotoko statement underscores the club’s commitment to professionalism and fair play, as they strive to uphold the values of the game amidst challenges posed by acts of violence.
