Akuapem North Member of Parliament, Samuel Awuku, has attributed the growing hooliganism in Ghana football to poor officiating.
His comments come weeks after the tragic stabbing of a Kotoko fan, Francis Frimpong, also known as Nana Pooley, to death.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the former Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) stressed that while tackling football-related violence is crucial, the role of refereeing cannot be ignored.
“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 Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Referees Association to recognize football’s transformation into a commercial industry, where fair and transparent officiating is essential.
“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.
In the wake of Nana Pooley’s death, the Ghana Premier League has been temporarily suspended.