Asante Kotoko have issued a plea to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to tackle issues surrounding officiating, safety, and security in Ghana Premier League matches.
The club emphasised that such issues are detrimental to the “integrity of the game on all levels.”
This call to action comes in response to disciplinary action taken against the club following their home loss to Nations FC during week 23 of the league.
The Porcupine Warriors suffered a 1-0 defeat, marking their fourth consecutive loss and intensifying pressure on coach Prosper Ogum.
Irate fans, during the match, charged towards match officials, prompting security officers to intervene and shield the officials from harm.
As a result, Asante Kotoko have been charged with violating Section 16 of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019 and Section 34(6)(d) of the GFA Premier League Regulations 2019.
The charges alleged that the club’s supporters behaved inappropriately towards the match officials and that the club’s social media commentary on the officials constituted misconduct, tarnishing the reputation of the game.
43’- The referee wants to be a celebrity.
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) March 24, 2024
In response to these incidents, Asante Kotoko condemned the actions of their fans while urging the GFA to address concerns regarding officiating, safety, and security.
The club reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport and assured stakeholders that it is collaborating with the GFA to find a lasting solution to the matter.
Asante Kotoko emphasised that their plea extends beyond their own interests, stressing the importance of ensuring that football is conducted with the utmost seriousness and integrity.
The club urged all stakeholders in Ghana’s football community to join efforts in elevating the sport to higher standards.
🚨 CLUB STATEMENT #AKSC #Fabucensus #Kotoko4All pic.twitter.com/BPxkSE1XT7
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) March 25, 2024