Sunyani-based Young Apostles won't boycott league, condemn frequent violence in Zone 1

Published on: 07 July 2021

Ghanaian second tier side Young Apostles have condemned the physical attacks in the ongoing Zone One matches insisting they will not boycott the league.

The Sunyani-based club say they are in full support of the efforts of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to clamp down in the violence in the matches in thier zone revealing that they have also suffered such attacks.

This comes after some clubs in the region were reported to be planning to boycott the competition in the wake of the recent match where supporter of BA United attacked match officials in their game against Real Tamale United.

But Young Apostles have steered clear from the plans of boycotting the league revealing that measures must be put in place in restore sanity in the wake of the attacks.

The Zone 1, comprising of teams in the Brong Ahafo and Northern regions, has been a massive hot spot for football over the years and this year's violence has heightented becasue some traditional clubs are engaged in a fierce promotion race.

"Conclusively we wish to firmly reinterate our commitment to the league by this statement, state unequivocally that Young Apostles FC has no intention of withdrawing from the league," a statement signed by Young Apostles Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Eric Edem Agbana, read.

"The growing acts of violence in Ghanaian football is worrying and must be condemned by all friends of the game.

"We call on all stakeholders to immediately institute measures, towards forestalling the future occurrence of unlawful conducts that are already destroying the beauty of the game."

Violence has escalated this season due to the tight race for Premier League qualification and survival.

The tension has spiralled into politics and tribalism which threatens the integrity of the game in the West African nation.

BA United fans have come under intense criticism after they attacked and chased referee Maxwell Hanson during an aborted ill-tempered clash against close title contenders Real Tamale United at the weekend.

The incidence of hooliganism ensued when RTU, who are two points behind BA United's brothers, Bofoakwa Tano FC, were awarded a first-half penalty. 

Ghana's Division One League Board in no uncertain terms condemned the violence at the Sunyani Coronation Park.

See statement below

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