The pitch invader in Ghana’s game against Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, 2024, Mohammed Huzeinu, 21, has been sentenced to 100 days in prison by an Accra District Court, a statement has revealed.
According to the statement from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Huzeinu’s actions significantly disrupted the match, which could have serious financial repercussions for the Association.
“Huzeinu’s actions disrupted the game, an offense that has potential financial consequences for the Association (GFA), as the Association is likely to be fined whenever such incidents occur,” read part of the statement from the Ghana FA.
The GFA stressed that pitch invasions are a serious breach of security that can endanger the smooth running of matches, and they strongly caution fans to respect stadium regulations in the future.
“Pitch invasions are considered a serious breach of security and disrupt the smooth running of games. The sentencing serves as a strong warning to fans to respect stadium regulations and maintain order during matches.”
“The FA has consistently urged fans to refrain from such actions, emphasizing the importance of discipline and adherence to match day protocols to avoid fines and maintain Ghana’s reputation in international football,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the GFA is expected to face a hefty fine as a result of the pitch invasion. This will be the latest in a series of penalties the GFA has encountered for fan-related incidents or crowd disturbances.
In 2020, the GFA was fined $10,000 following a pitch invasion during an AFCON 2021 Qualifier between Ghana and South Africa in Cape Coast in November 2019.
More recently, in January 2024, the GFA was fined $15,000 due to crowd trouble during the Black Stars’ AFCON 2023 group match against Cape Verde.
Credit: Metro TV
