Hearts’ punishment: my take

The referees in the said match fled under police protection 

The Ghana Football Association (GFA)’s Disciplinary Committee finally adjudicated on the supporters’ misbehavior that rocked the 2015/16 Premier League, match day six fixture between Hearts of Oak and Wa All Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Their verdict wasn’t disappointing. What has been disappointing for me is how long it took for them to arrive at a decision on what was an obvious dent on the image of our game. I’ve had friends especially on Facebook, ask me why I had so much interest in the case.

Their claim was that, I was making noise about the timeliness of Hearts’ punishment only because I’m with Kotoko and as a result, I would naturally wish that Hearts are always in trouble. That’s cheap and demeaning. I have grown above such infantile fanaticism. While I may not usually expect that Hearts triumph in a competition where there’s Kotoko, I wouldn’t wish Hearts evil because their good could be Ghana football’s good. Since I want to promote our domestic league, under no circumstance, would I waste my emotional energy and intelligence on seeking the downfall of Hearts.  

Having establish this point, let me stress that, the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee’s judgment regarding the violent incidents at the Accra Stadium on April 3, 2016 is fair. I’ve heard some colleagues say that, the ban imposed on Hearts’ Board member, Barimah Atuahene and my friend Kwame Opare Addo, Hearts’ spokesman, is too harsh.

I wouldn’t say it’s too harsh but then my heart tells me, their sanctions should have been minimal. I agree that, inciting fans to misbehave as claimed by the FA’s Disciplinary Committee, is as dangerous as the misbehavior itself. But being first time offenders, Kwame Opare Addo and Barimah Attuahene should have had punishments less than what they have been handed.

Like many have done, I would equally entreat Opare Addo and the Board member to appeal the committee’s decision. But while urging them to seek an appeal, it’s important that, we all learn from the punishment handed to the rainbow team. Football is supposed to entertain us, not to divide us. We must share and enjoy the fun football brings to our hearts.

At no point should football bring irreparable pain, misery and fatalities to us. If it does, then football ceases to be what it should be. It’s very unfortunate that, exactly 16 years after the catastrophic events of May 9, 2001; we are here talking about fans showing civility at the stadium. What it simply means is that, we haven’t learnt any good lesson from the disaster.

But lessons must be learnt. We must know that, life is precious and should constantly be protected even though ultimate protection comes from above. State and private property at league centres or match venues should as well be maintained and put to good use and not destroyed because our team lost.

Despite their delay, I laud the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee for the commitment they have shown to making violence in our football unattractive. Violence, no matter the quarters it emanates from, must be condemned by all right thinking people. I use this platform to urge Kotoko supporters eschew violence anywhere they find themselves.

I will be the first to condemn violent behaviour involving Kotoko fans. There has usually been the view that, much as we want fans to behave well at the stadium, we must make the same demands of referees whose decisions or indecisions often become the catalyst for violence.

I agree. That point can’t be disputed. Referees, like all humans are prone to wrong judgment. They make genuine mistakes even though some turn out to deliberate. Whatever the case, when you are pulled before the law as a hooligan; bringing a referee’s underperformance as  defence for your unruliness will surely be a weak, unacceptable defence.

This is the time for all who profess to have Ghana football at heart to rise against things that have the tendency to destroy the image of our domestic game. The needless intimidation at some venues; referees’ poor show, hooliganism; are but few examples. Let’s with one accord stand up against these ugly, negative tendencies in the supreme interest of Ghana football.