Dreams FC General Manager Ameenu Shardow has described the fatal stabbing of Asante Kotoko supporter Francis Frimpong, popularly known as Pooley, as a wake-up call for Ghanaian football.
Pooley was stabbed to death during Kotoko’s clash with Nsoatreman on Sunday, February 2, 2025, following an on-field altercation that escalated into violence among fans.
Speaking on Happy FM, Shardow expressed deep sorrow over the incident, warning that it could further damage an already struggling local football scene.
“It’s a terrible situation because we’re already facing challenges with attendance and other issues in our local football. Incidents like this only make things worse. When I heard about it, I was really hurt because we are working hard to develop our game, and something like this sets us back,” he said.
Despite the tragedy, Shardow sees the incident as a potential turning point for tackling long-standing issues of hooliganism in Ghanaian football. He urged stakeholders to take decisive action, emphasizing that the sport must not tolerate such violence.
“This is the result of behaviours that have been allowed to persist over time. If it takes such a tragic event for us to finally address the problem of hooliganism, then the only positive we can take from it is the opportunity to bring real change. But my heart goes out to the family ”I can feel their pain and anguish,” he added.
Pooley’s death has sparked renewed calls for improved security at football matches, with authorities under pressure to take firm measures to prevent future incidents.
