Hearts handed stadium ban

Hearts of Oak have been penalised for misconduct of their fans in the club’s 3-1 defeat to Wa All Stars in the Ghana Premier League on April 3 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Fined a total of GH¢12,000 by the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association, the Accra-based side will also play their next three home matches behind closed doors.

“The Committee found that in or about the 20th minutes into the match, supporters of Accra Hearts of Oak threw water bottles and others objects into the field of play and at the assistant referee 2,” the Disciplinary Committee ruling read.

“That at half time when the match officials were walking to the dressing room, supporters of Hearts of Oak threw water bottles and other objects at the match officials, and that in the second half, anytime a decision went against Hears of Oak, the supporter of Hearts of Oak threw water bottles and other objects at the two assistant referees and unto the field of play.

“That after the final whistle, supporters of Hearts of Oak threw water bottles, stones and other objects at match officials and security men escorting them into the dressing room.”

The Phobians will consequently play their upcoming home encounters against Sekondi Hasaacas, Liberty Professionals and Dreams FC without their supporters at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Also, board member of Hearts, Barimah Atuahene, and club spokesman, Opare Larbi Addo, have both been banned in relation to the match incidents.

Both men will not be taking part in any football-related activity for a period of 24 months. They have also been each fined GH¢6,000 for inciting supporters of the club against the match officials in the lead-up to the game on radio.