Nyantakyi to boycott league games for his safety

Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi has indicated he may never again watch matches of the First Capital Premier League from the stadium for safety reasons.

This comes nearly a week after he was assaulted by some fans of Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium when the team lost 1-0 to Malian side Djoliba AC in the Caf Confederation Cup return leg game.

The Phobians felt they were unfairly treated by the GFA ahead of last Sunday’s meeting after their late request to have a midweek league game against AshGold postponed was turned down. They also accused Nyantayi of sidelining Hearts’ players for the Black Stars.

Nyantakyi has since complained to the police who have been on the hunt for the aggressors. However, he says he may have to stop attending games for his safety.

“I was shocked when the incident happened. I had been dreaming of watching this particular game because this is one of the few times I have been around when such a game is being played,” Nyantakyi told Happy FM.

“I had told a lot of people of my intention to watch this game because I felt it could promote the game somehow. But if I’d go to the stadium to be exposed to assaults, then it’d be better to stay at home for my safety,” he said.

The FA boss added that the sad incident is a blow to efforts at eliminating hooliganism in Ghana football.

“I find it very outrageous to understand why some people are simply refusing to learn. We lost about 126 lives during the May 9th disaster and a similar thing nearly happened at the same venue when Hearts played Berekum Chelsea sometime back. So aren't we learning?

“Some of us have been looking for ways of marketing our matches to attract the needed fans by serving as ambassadors, but if this is what we shall be given in return, then it is better we don't come to the stadium at all,” he said.

In conclusion, he urged the media to promote the domestic competition, maintaining that he remains optimistic the fans will learn to do the right things someday.