The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has condemned the shooting incident at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the aftermath of Asante Kotoko’s 0-1 loss to Berekum Chelsea on Sunday.
“We are saddened by reports of injuries to football fans and the hospitalization of a fan, following an alleged gun shooting incident,” the GFA said on Sunday, January 12.
Supporters of Asante Kotoko staged a post-match protest against referee Charles Bulu for the lone goal scored by Kofi Owusu.
Before then, fans had thrown objects onto the field when the seventh-minute goal was allowed.
The protest resulted in a clash with the police stationed at the stadium.
The shot fan is said to be responding to treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
The victim of this afternoon's shooting incident at the Baba Yara Stadium is currently stable and responding to treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
We are following the development and would be updating our followers.#AKSC pic.twitter.com/NdPR2fxGXD
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) January 12, 2020
“Our profound sympathy goes to the injured, and we pray for speedy recovery,” the GFA said in a statement.
It warned that it takes a dim view of violence “at all league centres across the country and totally condemns what may have precipitated the unfortunate development at the Baba Yara Stadium”.
The country’s football-governing body says it has begun its own inquest into the incident from the designated matchday officials “to find out the exact cause of the unfortunate incidents”.
It also called on the Ghana Police Service “to also conduct thorough investigation, especially on the alleged shooting incident”.
The GFA served notice of upholding zero tolerance for violence “and in accordance with our regulations, will deal ruthlessly with any official or club that is found to have breached our GFA Regulations and GFA Disciplinary Code”.
The loss was the Procupine Warriors’ first since the start of the 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana