The Ghana Police Service has initiated a probe into the violent incidents that marred the Division One League match between Elmina Sharks and Swedru All Blacks on Sunday. According to reports from JoySports, a team has been deployed from the Central Regional Police Commander’s office to gather evidence, with several suspects already identified in connection to the altercation.
The focus of the investigation is on the twenty officers stationed at the Dr. Nduom Sports Complex during the match. They are expected to provide crucial information on the violent scenes that erupted following a controversial penalty decision by referee Eso Doh Morrison.
The chaos unfolded after Morrison awarded a penalty to Swedru All Blacks, leading to immediate outrage from the Elmina Sharks players, officials, and fans. The decision came after a collision between two players in the penalty box, which initially did not result in a penalty until Morrison changed his mind after medical attention was required.
Despite the protests, the penalty was converted, and as the match concluded, a group of aggressive Sharks fans confronted Morrison as he made his way to the dressing room tunnel. In a shocking turn of events, Elmina Sharks player Jay Asamoah Kola was seen attempting to strike Morrison with a stone, narrowly missing the referee’s head thanks to a quick intervention by an unidentified individual and a police officer.
This incident adds to a concerning trend of violence in Ghanaian football, following the tragic death of Asante Kotoko fan Francis Yaw Frimpong, also known as Nana Pooley, who was fatally stabbed at a Ghana Premier League match two weeks ago. The escalation of football-related violence has sparked calls for stricter measures to address hooliganism in the sport.
As the investigation into the Elmina Sharks-Swedru All Blacks clash progresses, there is mounting pressure on the authorities to ensure accountability for those involved in the attack on the referee. The football community is grappling with the growing menace of violence at matches, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive action to curb hooliganism and ensure the safety of all stakeholders in the sport.
