Elmina Sharks have distanced themselves from individuals who disrupted their Division One match against Swedru All Blacks on Sunday, labeling them as “imposters.”
The club stated that these individuals have no connection to Elmina Sharks.
Following the match, the referee and other officials were attacked by persons believed to be linked to the club.
As a result, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has charged midfielder Jay Asamoah and club bankroller Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, accusing the latter of “inciting players and officials against the match officials.”
However, in a statement released by the club on Wednesday, Elmina Sharks FC “strongly condemns any act of hooliganism and remains committed to justice,” expressing confidence that “a thorough investigation will bring clarity to these events.”
Full Statement
“At full-time, the same three individuals, still wearing the fake Elmina Sharks T-shirts, entered the inner perimeter and caused post-match confrontations. We want to place on record that one of these individuals attacked one of our players on the field, which resulted in an altercation between the player and the said person.
“During this time, the police were also escorting the match officials, with the assistance of our General Manager, from the tunnel to their changing rooms. Upon confrontation by our supporters, these imposters claimed they were at the stadium to protect Dr. Nduom. They alleged that Dr. Nduom had brought them to the stadium to safeguard both him and the match officials.
“Their accomplice, a driver of a black Nissan Sentra (AS 3083-24), when interrogated by our supporters, claimed he was a mines worker with an appointment with Dr. Nduom at the stadium and that he had brought the three men.
“However, upon further questioning, the driver bolted the scene, leaving his car behind. After recording a video of the incident and sending it to Dr. Nduom for clarification, our Chairman denied ever knowing the three individuals or their driver.
“He also clarified that Elmina Sharks FC does not print T-shirts for supporters and that there is no T-shirt bearing the Elmina Sharks logo on the back. It became clear that these individuals had printed the Sharks logo on T-shirts themselves in order to create the illusion of being legitimate supporters and cause disruptions at the stadium.”