Asante Kotoko Sporting Club have urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to address concerns about officiating and other critical aspects of the country’s football games which erode integrity.
In a statement, the club said the concerns are popular in all levels of football and must thus be given the attention needed.
“We also call on the GFA to address issues such as officiating, safety and security amongst others which tend to undermine the integrity of the game on all levels.
“Our call is not only for Kotoko but as a beacon of Ghana’s football heritage, there is the need to ensure the game is accorded the seriousness it deserves by all stakeholders in the quest to push our football to the expected heights.”
The statement follows the club’s defeat to Nations FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on March 24, 2024, their fourth straight defeat in the second half of the season and their fifth after the break.
The defeat, attributed to poor officiating, infuriated some supporters of the club to invade the pitch while the game was ongoing to assault the officiating referee.
The club have since been charged with breach of Section 34(6)(d) of the GFA Premier League Regulations, 2019.
In their statement, Kotoko condemned the action of the supporters noting, “Under no circumstance will Asante Kotoko condone any act that violates and undermines the sporting integrity of the game.”
“The club would like to assure its stakeholders that it has taken the appropriate steps in working hand-in-hand with the GFA in addressing and finding a lasting solution to this matter.”
The defeat to Nations FC sent the Porcupines behind Hearts of Oak to the ninth position in the league standings.
They hold 32 points.
Source:opemsuo