Asante Kotoko have appealed to rivals Hearts of Oak for support in tackling hooliganism following Sunday’s tragic events at Nsoatre.
The incident occurred during Kotoko’s matchday 19 clash against Nsoatreman, escalating seven minutes into the second half when a confrontation between players turned into a full-blown brawl.
The altercation extended into the stands and outside the stadium, where fans clashed in verbal and physical confrontations.
In the aftermath, Kotoko supporter Francis Yaw Frimpong, popularly known as Nana Pooley, was fatally stabbed, sparking national outrage over safety measures at football venues.
The Ghana Football Association has since imposed a ban on Nsoatreman, barring them from hosting league matches at their home ground, Nana Koromansah II Stadium.
Meanwhile, three individuals—former Employment and Labour Relations Minister Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Agyemang Duah Owusu, and Kyeremeh Joseph—have been arrested and are set to appear in court on Tuesday.
Kotoko, in a statement, urged their archrivals Hearts of Oak and other clubs to join their fight against hooliganism in Ghanaian football.
“It is time to end the cycle of violence, hooliganism, and lawlessness that threatens the integrity of our game.
“We call on all clubs to support this cause, especially our greatest rivals on the pitch, Hearts of Oak, because this is bigger than competition,” the statement read.
Kotoko and Hearts of Oak were both affected by the May 9, 2001, stadium disaster, which claimed many lives, and have since committed to promoting peaceful football encounters.
With matchday 20 fixtures now on hold, Kotoko have also withdrawn from all football-related activities until further notice.