Sarfo Abebrese
Former ace GTV sports commentator, Lawyer Sarfo Abebrese, has urged the government to order tomorrow’s crucial match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko to be played in an empty stadium.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE SPORTS in an interview after last Thursday’s match between Hearts and Legon Cities at the Accra Sports Stadium, the COSUA founder and president observed that the euphoria that sent Hearts fans into wild jubilation deep into the night inside the stadium is a clear indication that the authorities will not be able to maintain and enforce COVID-19 protocols, if the gates are opened to fans.
“This is the first time Hearts and Kotoko are playing a decider when they are tied at the top of the table with the same number of points, and the stakes are therefore very high in this game,” Sarfo observed, adding that the authorities did well by rejecting Hearts of Oak’s appeal to allow 75% patronage by fans.
“However, given what I saw at the Accra Stadium on Thursday, I doubt very much if the authorities can enforce the 25% fan attendance limit, let alone enforce all other COVID-19 protocols like crowd spacing, mask wearing and temperature tests before fans are allowed entry.
“I am appealing to government to consider paying for the broadcast rights for the game to be televised live free on TV,” he added.
Lawyer Abebrese, who was one of the two GTV commentators on that fateful day of May 9, 2001, ended by reminding the nation about Ghana’s unenviable world record of the biggest casualty ever recorded at a football game in world history.
He urged all saying, “The nation should take a cue from May 9 and avert an even more catastrophic disaster from possible COVID-19 infections by exposing tens of thousands of fans in an enclosed stadium, to infection.”
From The Sports Desk