Hooliganism reared its ugly head in Ghana football once again, this time in the Division One League, where match officials had to be rushed off the field after a game between Elmina Sharks and Swedru All Blacks on Sunday at the Ndoum Stadium.

All Blacks won the game 1-0, but it was the chaotic scenes after referee Eso Doh Morrison’s final whistle that stole the headlines. 

Players and officials of Elmina Sharks attacked the referee and other match officials over the penalty call which resulted in the All Blacks win. 

The Division One League match between Elmina Sharks and Swedru All Blacks ended in chaos, with some Sharks players and officials attacking the referee over a disputed penalty decision.

The All Blacks won 1-0 at the Nduom Sports Complex.#JoySports pic.twitter.com/QpgTt4fn1o

— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) February 16, 2025

Footage from the match shows that referee Morrison initially did not whistle for a penalty, after two players collided in the Sharks penalty area.

However, after medics attended to the players, the referee pointed to the spot, indicating a penalty to the away team.

Here is the penalty decision in favour of All Blacks against Elmina Sharks that led to a referee being attacked today in the Division One League.

Was it a penalty? #JoySports pic.twitter.com/Z5XS2MJ9f7

— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) February 16, 2025

The decision sparked protests among players, officials and fans of Elmina Sharks.

Despite the protests, the decision was upheld and the penalty was subsequently converted.

At full time, the match referee was confronted by three well-built fans while he was about to enter the tunnel leading to the dressing room.

While the officers were able to isolate him with the help of a yet-to-be-identified man, some players of Elmina Sharks still got to him.

In a video that has since gone viral, Elmina Sharks player Jay Asamoah Kola, is seen attempting to hit referee Morrison with a stone he picked from the ground.

Although he swung wildly, a combination of the unidentified individual and one police officer were able to stop him from making a clean contact with Morrison's head.

This incident comes just two weeks after the fatal stabbing of Asante Kotoko fan, Nana Pooley, at a matchweek 19 Ghana Premier League game between Nsoatreman and Asante Kotoko. 

This week’s Division One league games saw, for the first time, the enforcement of the Ghana Football Association’s newly enhanced matchday and security protocols.