Three home ban for Kotoko, six for Arsenals
The Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has handed out home bans to Asante Kotoko and Berekum Arsenals due to violence.
Kotoko will play three matches outside their usual grounds Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi whilst Arsenals get a rather hefty punishment of six games away from the Golden City Park in Berekum.
According to the committee, Kotoko who have also been slapped with 5,000 Ghana Cedis fine, were “found guilty on two counts for acts of misconduct by their supporters” in their league encounter against Medeama on May 8 at the Baba Yara Stadium.
“From the evidence including the video coverage of the match and the Club’s own admissions, we find Kumasi Asante Kotoko guilty as charged in respect of Counts one and two.
“Supporters of Kotoko displayed “unbridled acts of lawlessness during the match. In respect of counts one and two and in line with GFA Regulation 39(1) (d), the Committee imposes on Kumasi Asante Kotoko a 3-match ban on its use of the Baba Yara Stadium as a Home Venue together with a fine of 5 000 Ghana Cedis,” the committee stated.
On Arsenal, who are struggling to beat the drop, the committee ruled “after reviewing evidence which included reports of both the Referee and the Match Commissioner and video coverage which showed unbridled brutality and acts of lawlessness, at the grounds during their Glo Premier League match with Asante Kotoko, on May 12, found them guilty on all the five charges.
“In line with GFA Regulation 39(1)(d), the Committee imposes on Berekum Arsenal F.C. a 6-match ban on its use of the Golden City Park and a fine of GH¢5 000.00.”
“The ban is effective May 12 and in calculating same the GFA must include home match bans already served by reason of the Executive Committee decision to close the venue after the said match.”
With just a game to end the season, it means the bans will be carried over into next season.
Prior to the ruling, the GFA Executive Committee temporary sanctioned the closure of the two venues.
Source: GNA