March 12 – Police in Ghana have launched an investigation into the death of an assistant referee who was apparently attacked by spectators after a second division game.
The family of 21-year-old Kwame Andoh-Kyei believe he died from injuries suffered in an alleged assault on March 2.
Andoh-Kyei is said to have told his brother, Kwaku, that fans attacked him after a game between Naajoe Royals and Gold Stars. He was taken to hospital but collapsed and died three hours later.
The Ghana Referees Association has ordered their members in the Western Region to suspend their services for lower division games. Its boss Alex Quartey told the BBC: “Protection for referees in those games is almost non-existent so we have asked our members in the Western Region not to officiate games until we can guarantee that they are safe.
“We are keen not to draw any conclusions until we have seen the medical report but there are too many cases of assault against referees, especially in the lower divisions, and we will take that up with the highest authorities.”
Meanwhile a statement from the Ghana Football Association said doctors were not yet able to establish the cause of death. “He was regarded as one of the association’s most promising up and coming referees and was highly respected by his peers,” a statement said.
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