The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has banned Division One League clubs, PAC Academy, and Port City Football Club from the use of their home venues indefinitely, with immediate effect.
This decision was taken following preliminary information available to the Executive Council, regarding violent incidents recorded at the match between PAC Academy and FC Ashgold 04 and the Port City Football Club versus True Democracy match, both played over the past weekend.
The Competitions Department of the GFA will now fix the venues for the upcoming home matches of both PAC Academy and Port City FC, taking into consideration the distance to be travelled by the away teams.
The Executive Council, in taking this decision, exercised its powers under Article 14(2) of the Division One League [DOL] Regulations and has banned the said clubs from using their officially approved home venues indefinitely.
Article 14(2) of the DOL Regulations states as follows: “The GFA may order the closure of any league centre/venue where the safety of clubs, match officials and/or spectators cannot be guaranteed”.
After reviewing preliminary reports on the two matches, the Executive Council has moved swiftly to avert any potential recurrence of the incidents reported.
The Association has commenced processes to gather all relevant facts in order to establish a comprehensive and accurate account of what transpired in the reported matches. We are working with the Ghana Police Service and other relevant stakeholders in this regard and are confident that we shall be successful in our efforts.
The GFA unequivocally condemns all forms of violence in Ghana Football and urges club owners, officials, supporters and all stakeholders to remain committed to the ideals of fair play and sportsmanship, which are fundamental pillars of the sport of Association Football.
The Association commiserates with anyone who may have been adversely affected by the reported incidents and assures the football public that the matters are being treated with the utmost seriousness. Appropriate and swift action will be taken where necessary in line with the regulations.
The GFA urges calm from all interested parties as investigations continue and assures the football fraternity that justice will definitely be served.
