The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council barred RTU from using the Tamale Stadium indefinitely with immediate effect on Monday, March 21, 2022.
This ruling by the GFA was made after home supporters assaulted Match Officials during the Ghana Premier League (GPL) match between Real Tamale United FC and Aduana FC on March 20, 2022.
The GFA’s Competitions Department will now set the locations for Real Tamale United FC’s forthcoming home matches, taking into account the distances that the away clubs will have to travel.
Below is the letter sent to the Club:
The seminars and meetings on Safety and Security at match venues organised by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for clubs and the GFA regulations on Safety and Security refer.
It is against this background of the efforts invested into promoting the safety and security at our matches that the Association is shocked and extremely alarmed at the criminal assaults on the Match Officials at the Tamale Sports Stadium by the home supporters in the Premier League match between Real Tamale United FC and Aduana FC on Sunday, March 20, 2022.
Again, considering the fact that the GFA has a process for complaining about any alleged bad officiating (if any) for redress through the Match Review Panel, the Executive Council of the Association see any attack on the Match Officials as “an attack against the entire sport, it being, unwarranted and criminal”.
The Executive Council has accordingly exercised its powers under Article 14(2) of the Premier League Regulations and has ban the venue indefinitely.
14(2) “The GFA may order the closure of any league centre/venue where the safety of clubs, match officials and/or spectators cannot be guaranteed”.
The GFA also notes that supporters of the home team, Real Tamale United FC went into the inner perimeter and attacked the match officials and condemns, without any reservations, the violations of the GFA Approved Matchday COVID-19 Protocols and the Safety and Security regulations which took place at the match.
The GFA Prosecutors have been tasked to prefer the appropriate Charges immediately and for the Disciplinary Committee to sit on this matter expeditiously.
The GFA demands that Real Tamale United FC shall immediately assist the Police to cause the arrest of the persons involved in the attack on the match officials, without fail, in accordance with the promise given by the clubs to the Inspector General of Police in our engagement with the leadership of the Ghana Police Service.
The Association has instructed the Competitions Department to fix the venues for the upcoming home matches of Real Tamale United FC with due regards to the distance to be travelled by the away teams (note that matches can be fixed at the home of the away team, if required).
That all clubs are to take note and comply strictly with the GFA Matchday COVID-19 Protocols and the Safety & Security regulations.
The GFA wishes to sound a strong note of caution to all members (especially all clubs) that the slightest harassment or attack on Match Officials (Referees, Match Commissioners, GFA Cameramen & Women, Venue Media Officers, the sports media) shall be dealt with severely and swiftly.
Also, any comments from any player, team or club official and club social media handles which incites supporters against match officials shall be dealt with as well.
There shall be zero tolerance for violence and incitement to violence in our game especially in this second round of the leagues.
Sulley Muntari wins 1st ever Ghana Premier League MVP award in Hearts win over Ashantigold
Ghana legend Sulley Ali Muntari has won his first-ever Man-Of-The-Match award in the Ghana Premier League after another impressive display on Sunday evening at home against Obuasi Ashantigold SC.
The 37-year-old starred as Hearts of Oak defeated Ashantigold on matchday 2-1 to return to winning ways following their last defeat to Aduana Stars FC in Dormaa.
The former Inter Milan star dazzled in the match and gave pinpoint passes with a scintillating performance on the evening to wow the fans.
He joined Hearts of Oak in February this year and has already won his first trophy with the club in the 2022 President’s Cup against rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC.
Sulley Muntari continues to excel in the Ghana Premier League after scooping his first Man of the Match award as Hearts of Oak defeated rivals Ashantigold.
The 37-year-old former AC Milan and Portsmouth star was at his best for the club as a brace from Daniel Afriyie Barnieh helped the champions pick all three points in Accra.
After the game, the Ghanaian football legend was presented his player of the match award as he celebrated another win with his teammates.
