The Ghana Football Association has announced the approval of newly enhanced matchday safety and security protocols for the various football competitions in the country.

This follows the fatal stabbing of Asante Kotoko fan, Nana Pooley, during a matchday 19 clash between Nsoatreman and Kotoko.

According to a press release on Wednesday, the Ghana FA confirmed that the new protocols will henceforth be used together with the existing rules.

“Following further inputs into the draft work, the Executive Council has approved the Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols 2025 to be used in addition to all the existing Regulations - the competitions regulations (Premier League Regulations, The Division One League Regulations, the Women’s Premier League Regulations, Regional Football Leagues Regulations), the Stadium Regulations, the Club Licensing Regulations, the Disciplinary Code, the Code of Ethics and the various Directives and Guidelines.

“The Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols 2025 is a work of all the clubs and will be applied strictly and the sanctions therein enforced accordingly to ensure safety and security at our match venues for all stakeholders,” the statement said.

Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak SC, earlier this week, submitted a joint proposal to the Ghana Football Association for review.

They expressed dissatisfaction with the Ghana FA’s handling of the situation, and asserted that they would not return to the league until their demands for improved security protocols were met.

According to the Association, demands by both clubs, alongside all previous suggestions made by other clubs during the Executive Council meeting regarding the Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols, were considered in the newly confirmed protocols.