Former Berekum Arsenal player and current management member of Aduana Stars, Takyi Arhin, popularly known as “Thunder,” has led sixteen other Ghana Premier League (GPL) teams, excluding Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, and Nsuatreman United, in petitioning the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for the restart of the Premier League.
Arhin argued that it would be unfair to require the alleged killer of a popular Kotoko fan, who died during the Week 19 match between Kotoko and Nsuatreman, to be jailed before football can resume in Ghana. He emphasized that the matter is now a criminal case, which is solely under the jurisdiction of the Ghana Police, and the GFA does not have the power or means to arrest or prosecute the alleged killer of the fan known as Pooley.
“It would be unjust to wait for the prosecution of Pooley’s alleged killer before resuming the league. A criminal case that can take years to resolve should not put football on hold,” Arhin stated.
In the meantime, Kotoko and Hearts of Oak have issued a joint statement demanding significant changes to football security and safety before they agree to participate in the league. The GFA has responded with a statement signed by President Kurt Okraku and General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo Esq., outlining measures for safety and security at various match venues. Kotoko and Hearts are yet to respond regarding their acceptance of these measures.
