By Former Executive Council Member of the Ghana Football Association, Lawyer Kweku Ayiah, said he would have preferred that DCOP Lydia Donkor “had not spoken” about the investigations into the death of Francis Frimpong Pooley, which has drawn criticism from the Asante Kotoko fraternity.
The staunch Kotoko supporter was stabbed to death during the Porcupines’ clash with Nsoatreman in Nsoatre in Week 19 of Ghana’s top-flight league.
Security personnel have been questioned for allowing fans to enter the stadium with a tool capable of causing harm.
In an interview with JoySports, DCOP Lydia Donkor, Chairperson of the Ghana FA’s Safety and Security Committee, exclusively stated to JoySports that Pooley’s stabbing “did not happen in the stadium”, a comment perceived as a defense of the police on duty that day.
Kotoko fraternity expressed their displeasure with her comments, with the Chairman of Asante Kotoko’s Interim Management Committee, Nana Apinkrah, insisting the club does “not want Madam Lydia Donkor to be involved in this case again.”
“I would have wished she [Lydia Donkor] had not spoken about the incident,” Lawyer Ayiah told Asempa FM.
“Having said that, her position is not just for Asante Kotoko or Hearts; it is for all clubs, a position of trust. Safety is very key and I will just urge that, when speaking about it, just be circumspect.
“I understand that Kotoko are in pain, but we urge them to remain calm and see how things unfold.”
The fatal incident led to the suspension of the division as the Ghana FA met with the 18 Premier League clubs to discuss measures to curb such acts.
Meanwhile, seven arrests have been made, including Nsoatreman FC bankroller Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, following Pooley’s death.
The former Employment and Labour Relations Minister has been placed under a movement restriction order by District Court “B” in Sunyani.
