A fan of one of Ghana’s biggest football teams, Asante Kotoko, has died after being stabbed to death at a match against their neighbours Nsoatreman.
Francis Yaw Frimpong, better known as Pooley, was killed following a heated argument with an unidentified man during the game, according to a statement from Nsoatreman.
“The senseless loss of life is devastating,” said his club Asante Kotoko.
Violence at football matches has been a persistent issue in Ghana. In 2001, a riot in the capital, Accra, led to the death of at least 120 people.
Sunday’s match in the central town of Nsoatre was also marred by fan violence, with people throwing objects onto the pitch. Things escalated when some spectators stormed the field, attacking players and officials.
Asante Kotoko said their goalkeeper, Mohammed Camara, was assaulted by “pitch invaders” during the chaos.
The match resumed after a brief halt, with Asante Kotoko ultimately losing 1-0 to Nsoatreman.
Both teams, Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman, have condemned the clashes.
“The game of football is not a war,” said Nsoatreman in a statement.
Tributes for Pooley have been pouring in, with his name trending in Ghana on X. A passionate Asante Kotoko fan, he frequently discussed his team on the radio.
In response to the incident, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has banned Nsoatreman from using their home venue, Nana Koramansah Park, until further notice while an investigation is conducted.
Additionally, the GFA has postponed the next round of league matches.
“The GFA has been working to improve the overall football experience in Ghana and is keen to ensure that this incident is dealt with swiftly and decisively to send the signal that such acts have no place in Ghana football,” the association said in a statement on Monday.
The authorities have launched an investigation into Mr Frimpong’s death.
People have called for stricter security measures at match venues across the country for a league that has lost its appeal in the last few years.
Despite previous sanctions aimed at improving safety, such as fines issued in 2022 for Nsoatreman and Accra Young Wise for breaching safety regulations, and a seven-game home ban handed to Skyy, violence remains a problem.
Attacks on match officials and opposing teams persist, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current security measures.
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