Sports Ministry grants approval for fans to return to football stadiums

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) has granted approval for football spectators to return to stadiums subject to observing all the national COVID-19 protocols and the Ghana Football Association's (GFA) Matchday COVID-19 Protocols.

The MOYS in a statement said the decision to permit fans (25%) to match venues comes after deliberations between the Ministry, the GFA and the National COVID-19 Task Force. The approval means match venues can be 25% full on matchdays.

"As a result the Ghana Football Association has been directed to put in place mechanisms to ensure that games are played in a safe environment to ensure the safety of spectators," the statement said.

The GFA is also to ensure that the various COVID-19 Protocols including the washing of hands, wearing of face masks and observing of social distancing are strictly adhered to and sanctions given to defaulting clubs and participants in accordance with the provisions of the GFA Matchday COVID-19 Protocols.

"For the avoidance of doubt, these conditions of issue apply to the purchase, holding and use of GFA match day tickets," the statement continued.

"The Ghana Football Association/or its authorized distributors (if any) sells and issues tickets for matches at the Ground only upon the following Conditions of Issue and by purchasing, holding or using a Match Ticket or entering the Ground, any person who has applied for, bought, accepted or holds a Match Ticket shall be deemed to have accepted these Conditions of Issue".

Match tickets are to be made available for sale as follows:

• The Ghana Football Association or its agencies reserves the right, at its sole discretion, at any time and during the purchase of Match Tickets, whilst at the Ground or otherwise, to require any person, including without limitation any Ticket Holder to:

• Collect Match Tickets in person and from such place as specified by the Ghana Football Association in ADVANCE, including from the ticket office of the Home Club or third-party location (as applicable; and/or

• Provide such proof of identification and/or address as required by the Ghana Football Association from time to time (which may include but not be limited to a valid passport or photo card driving licence), and any failure to provide such proof within the timeframe reasonably required by the Home Club shall constitute a breach of these conditions of Issue and may result in refusal of entry or ejection from the Ground.