Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko has suspended all activities with their football team indefinitely following the tragic loss of their supporter, Francis Frimpong, popularly known as Pooley.
The sad incident occurred on Sunday, February 2, at the Nana Koromansah II Stadium, where violent clashes led to his untimely passing.
As investigations by the Ghana Football Association and the Ghana Police Service get underway, the Porcupine Warriors have taken a firm stand: they will not resume their footballing duties until those responsible are brought to justice.
“Asante Kotoko suspends all senior team football activities until further notice. Our position remains unchanged-we will not return to the pitch until justice is served and concrete measures are implemented to avoid such tragic incidents in the future,” said the club.
Management has also suspended all football-related activities pending the investigations. The club, however, explained that its juvenile team and injured players, who are undergoing rehabilitation, would still be allowed to use the training facility.
CLUB STATEMENT ON NSOATREMAN INCIDENT
Asante Kotoko remains deeply heartbroken by the tragic events that unfolded at the Nana Koramanah Park, leading to the senseless murder of our cherished supporter, Francis Yaw Frimpong. The pain of his loss still lingers, but in these trying times, we stand united as a club, a family, and a force for positive change in Ghanaian football.
While our grief is immeasurable, we take solace in the fact that justice is beginning to take its course. We wish to express our profound appreciation to the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the Bono Regional Police Commander, and COP Lydia Donkor for their swift and decisive action in handling this matter. We welcome the news that three of the many masterminds behind this dastardly and heinous act have been arrested, and we trust that the police will continue to pursue and bring every last perpetrator to justice. As a club, we are fully cooperating with the police and will continue to do so to ensure that the full weight of the law is brought to bear on those responsible for this tragedy.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to our loyal fans and supporters for remaining calm and not taking the law into their own hands despite their anguish and profound pain. Your restraint in the face of such injustice is commendable, and it is this discipline and unity that will ensure that our fight for justice is won.
Furthermore, Asante Kotoko is in constant communication with the family of Francis Yaw Frimpong, offering them our full support as they navigate this devastating loss. We will, in due course, provide further details on his funeral rites, and we call on all who love this club and Ghanaian football to stand with the family in these dark times.
We also acknowledge the invitation from the Ghana Football Association to engage on Thursday regarding this issue. We will honor this invitation and lead the charge to ensure that this painful moment serves as a turning point for Ghanaian football. It is time to end the cycle of violence, hooliganism, and lawlessness that threatens the integrity of our game. We call on all clubs to support this cause, especially our greatest rivals on the pitch, Accra Hearts of Oak, because this is bigger than competition—it is about securing the future of our domestic league once and for all.
To our cherished supporters, we assure you that whatever decision the club takes after our engagement with the Football Association will be one that forever honors the memory of our late supporter, Francis Yaw Frimpong, and upholds the supreme interest of Asante Kotoko. We will not be swayed, and we will not rest until true justice and lasting reforms are achieved.
Finally, Asante Kotoko wishes to state that all footballing activities of the senior team are on hold until further notice. Our stance remains unchanged, we will not resume footballing duties until justice is served, and concrete steps are taken to prevent such barbaric acts from ever happening again.
In the meantime, management has decided to suspend all activities relating to football on the pitch until further investigations into the matter. However, our juvenile team and players recovering from injuries who require rehab will be allowed at our training center.
This is not just about Asante Kotoko; it is about Ghana football as a whole. And we will not relent until the right thing is done.
SIGNED
Management of Asante Kotoko SC
