The Worst GFA Punishment Nsoatreman May Suffer Disclosed After GPL Withdrawal
- Nsoatreman FC has officially withdraw from the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League, citing safety concerns
- Their decision is related to the horrific murder of Asante Kotoko supporter Francis Yaw Frimpong aka Nana Pooley
- The Ghana Football Association may ban Nsoatreman FC for a specific perios that could range from five to 10 years
In a dramatic turn of events, Nsoatreman FC has withdraw from the ongoing 2024/25 Ghana Premier League competition due to safety concerns, the Ghana Football Association has officially acknowledged.
The club cited recent events involving their game against Asante Kotoko, where the tragic murder of a Kotoko fan, Francis Yaw Frimpong aka Pooley occured on February 2, 2025 in Nsoate, as the catalyst for their decision as well as their Matcweek 24 home fixture against Samartex on March 10 in Bibiani.
Source: Twitter
The popular Kotoko supporter, who was seen in a viral footage, lying at the entrance of the Nana Konamansah Park, stabbed and sttuggling to breath, passed away upon arival at hospital.
Expressing fears for the safety of their players in future games, the club of former Sunyani West MP, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, decided to quit the 2024/25 league.
As a result of this move, the GFA has communicated, via its website, that all remaining 14 games of Nsoatreman FC in the current league campaign will be scored 3-0 in favour of the opponents.
''Article 13(5) of the Regulations states that where a club withdraws from the league after it has started, any match which that club is scheduled to play shall be considered forfeited and accordingly, three (3) points and three (3) goals shall be awarded in favour of the opposing club. Going forward, on each scheduled matchday of Nsoatreman FC, three (3) points and three (3) goals shall be awarded in favour of the opposing club.'' the GFA announced.
Nsoatreman withdrawal due to fear for safety
On March 14, 2025, Nsoatreman FC officially notified the GFA of its decision to withdraw from the ongoing Ghana Premier League.
The club, which had accumulated 21 points after 20 matches, was 15th on the league table at the time of their withdrawal.
The death of Pooley occurred at Nsoatreman's home venue in Nsoatre, a town located in the Bono Region of Ghana.
The murder of the Kotoko fan reportedly led to widespread tensions and heightened security concerns, and Nsoatreman FC has claimed that they are not satisfied of adequate security during their away fixtures and clearly fears retaliation for the fan’s death.
The club's management emphasized their inability to guarantee the safety of their players, which led to the drastic decision to withdraw from the Ghana Premier League, with GFA revealing it had a number of unsuccessful engagements with the club to rescind their decision.
''The Football Association has had a number of engagements with the club on the subject matter without success. The GFA has accordingly activated the appropriate provisions in the competition Regulations relating to the matter.
The matter has now been referred to the GFA Prosecutor and the disciplinary process will proceed in line with the provisions of the Regulations including but not limited to Article 13(5) of the Regulations.''
The murder of Kotoko fan Pooley
The tragic murder of Pooley, a devoted supporter of Asante Kotoko, took place during a tense match between Nsoatreman and Kotoko on February 2, with both set of players engulfed in heated argument.
After some order was restored, the game continued, with Nsoatreman winning 1-0. However, off the pitch, Pooley was fatally attacked and stabbed to death, with the Ghana Police Service identifying one Daniel Febiri alias Brimah as the key suspect as investigations and court procedings about the crime continue.
After the GPL was put on hold temporarily following Pooley's death, the resumed on March 8, with Kotoko picking a 2-0 success against Legon Cities in Kumasi on March 9 while Nsoatreman, serving a home ban, lost to Samartex in Bibiani the following day.
GFA regulations and worst possible sanction
The Ghana FA has a set of regulations in place to govern the conduct of clubs and their officials. According to these regulations, a club or its officials can face serious penalties if they fail to meet the standards expected of them when deciding to withdraw from the league after it has started.
This includes potential bans, for both the club and its officials, from participating in football activities for a specified period.
In Nsoatreman FC’s case, their decision to withdraw from the league could result in severe sanctions. The worst punishment for the club could range from a ban of five to 10 years.
Such a ban would effectively prohibit the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup campaigners from participating in any of the GFA's football competitions during that period, which include the Ghana Premier League and the FA Cup.
''Without prejudice to any provision in these Regulations, the Disciplinary Committee shall have the right to take appropriate disciplinary decisions, including but not limited to an imposition of a ban or a demotion, against any club which withdraws from a competition or fails to honour any match without just cause and may also, ban officials of the club from taking part in football activities for a specified period.'' per Article 13(3) of the GFA Premier League Regulations, 2019 edition.
The case is before the GFA Prosecutor, and the GFA’s decision will likely be based on an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the club's withdrawal and whether they have breached any regulations in doing so.
Source: Twitter
While safety concerns are a valid issue, the GFA will need to carefully consider whether the withdrawal was in line with the rules and whether the club’s actions have had a detrimental effect on the competition.
Reacting to the official announcement from the GFA, veteran sports journalist Precious Semevor, had this to say to YEN.com.gh's Gariba Raubil.
''Nsoatreman's withdrawal from the GPL, for me, is unfortunate, just like the incidents leading to the death of Nana Pooley. As a football country, a section of the people have not handled their emotions well, relative to the bigger picture.'' Semevor said.
Pooley respected as Kotoko's most exceptional fan
YEN.com.gh earlier reported Nana Pooley as Asante Kotoko's greatest football fan ever in the eyes of a former club board member.
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Proofreading by Jimmy Modise, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Gariba Raubil (Sports Editor) Gariba Raubil is a skilled content writer and journalist with over 14 years of experience in sports journalism. He is a CAF and FIFA-accredited reporter and has been a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) since 2020. He has covered several international tournaments including two All Africa Games in 2015 and 2023. He also reported on the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and the 2018 Women’s AFCON. Email: gariba.raubil@yen.com.gh
Jimmy Modise (Sports Copy editor) Jimmy is an experienced copy editor who has for just under two years as junior copy editor at Sports Brief and is still engaged in the same profession now for Legit Media and other projects. He has a Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies, has worked briefly as radio producer, intern sportswriter and copywriter in his storied journey.
