Majority of GPL clubs against 2019/20 season returning behind closed doors - Report

Majority of Ghanaian clubs will oppose the decision to play behind closed doors should the government give the green light for football to return, GHANAsoccernet.com has gathered.

The Ghana FA recently met with the government COVID-19 team to discuss issues about the possible return of football activities as government plans to ease down restrictions.

According to reports, the Ghana FA has proposed to the government to continue with the 2019/20 football season behind closed doors.

The National Sports Authority (NSA) has indicated that it will not be able to bear the cost of running the various stadia across the country should games be played behind closed doors.

The NSA boss Peter Twumasi in an interview stated that the return of football during the pandemic will lead to huge cost as teams will have to go through certain safety protocols before and after games which may lead to the NSA charging a fee of Ghc600,000 per game.

GHANAsoccernet.com has gathered that clubs will also reject any move proposed by the GFA to continue their season behind closed doors as their means of revenue being the gate proceeds will not be forthcoming and no support coming from government and the FA.

Meanwhile, former Hearts of Oak chairman, Commodore Mensah has advised clubs not to emulate the Germans and play behind closed doors.

“Germany has resumed playing behind closed doors. I have heard people say Ghana should emulate this. In my opinion, we should not go that way”, he told Asempa FM.

“Even with spectators allowed to stadiums, the clubs’ financial state is nothing to write home about. If it’s about playing behind closed doors, then we should not play at all. Even if it takes a year or two for things to return to normal before we can play football then so be it.

“Let no one rush the return of football if we’re playing behind closed doors. Let’s not copy the Europeans”, he added.

The 2019/20 football season has been suspended since March this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ghana FA says it will announce the future of the 2019/20 football season on June 30 to determine whether the season will continue or be truncated.