Hooliganism Won’t Stop Until We Fix Officiating – MP Sammy Awuku Warns GFA
Akuapem North MP links rising football violence to poor refereeing, calls for urgent reforms to protect the game
- Poor officiating is a major trigger for football violence and fan riots
- GFA and referees must recognize football as a business and ensure fair play
- Law enforcement must take stronger action to curb hooliganism
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has highlighted poor officiating as a major cause of hooliganism in Ghanaian football, urging the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to take decisive action.
Speaking in Parliament, the former Director General of the National Lottery Authority stressed that while efforts to curb football violence are crucial, inconsistent refereeing decisions often trigger fan unrest.
“You cannot separate acts of vandalism, hooliganism, and fan riots from poor officiating. Across the world, whenever you see clashes among fans, a controversial refereeing decision is often at the heart of it,” Awuku stated.
He urged the GFA and the Referees Association to recognize that football has evolved into a commercial venture where fairness in officiating is non-negotiable.
“Football today is not just about entertainment; it’s a business. These acts of hooliganism are despicable, and it’s time we move beyond lip service. Law enforcement agencies must step up and ensure the law is enforced,” he added.
His comments come in the wake of the Ghana Premier League’s suspension following violent clashes involving players, officials, and fans of Nsoatreman FC and Asante Kotoko on February 2, 2025, at Nana Konamansah Park.
The incident resulted in the tragic death of Kotoko fan Francis Yaw Frimpong, popularly known as Nana Pooley.
