Former Asante Kotoko player Godwin Ablordey has expressed worry about the country’s inability to fight hooliganism in football after the infamous May 9, 2001 stadium disaster.
Considered as one of the worst football disasters, the tragic incident claimed over 100 lives and has left a big scar on the local game.
Ablordey, was captain when Asante Kotoko was hosted by Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium on the said day.
Agitations ensued after some Kotoko fans blamed the match referee for aiding Hearts’ 2-1 win.
Eventually, the crowd troubles forced the policemen to fire teargas into the stands, a move which triggered the stampede that claimed more than 126 lives.
Acts of hooliganism has still been recorded at local football match venues in the aftermath of the disaster and Ablordey believes the time is ripe for all stakeholders to learn the lessons and move forward.
He told West FM in an interview that: “May 9 didn’t come by its own; supporters and police officers were the cause. The time has come for supporters, players, coaches, officials, media security personnel to learn and move forward.”
“We should stop drinking alcohol before going into stadium because referees are not Angels, they can commit mistakes at any time.
“I always feel sad because we have learned nothing. We should allow referees to work rather than taking the laws into our own hands.
“Hearts and Kotoko are not enemies and both supporters must understand that always there are three things involved in the game of football,” he concluded. – footballmadeinghana.com
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Ablordey – Concerned
