Clubs will play in empty stadiums if supporters don’t adhere to all COVID-19 protocols – Dr Nsiah Asare

The advisor to the President of Ghana on Health matters, Dr Nsiah Assre has disclosed that supporters will be stopped from entering the stadiums if they fail to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols when the new season begins.

The 2020-21 Ghana Premier League is set to commence on November 13 after the President lifted the ban on contact games last week.

H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced that the Ghanaian top-flight will admit only 25 per cent attendance at the various league venues when the 2020-2021 season resumes.

The Ghana Premier League and all other football-related activities of the Ghana FA were put on hold in mid-March as a measure to curb the fast spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Seven months after the directives from the presidency, football is set to resume on Friday, October 30, 2020. This was revealed when the President was delivering his 17th address on the COVID-19 to the whole nation on Sunday, September 20, 2020.

The President also said, no spectators will be allowed at the training grounds of the various team’s.

Speaking to Hello FM on a wide range of issues, Dr Nsiah Asare revealed that clubs will play in empty stadiums if supporters fail to abide by all the safety protocols put in place by the government when football finally resumes.

“When we decided to open the churches we had same complains that the virus could spread more but that didn’t happen. We know someone could test positive. Nothing has happened in Europe when they started playing football again, and we have been learning from others when they took certain decisions.

“I believe if they[clubs] follow all the precautions and the spectators are protected well, nothing bad will be experienced.

“However, if the league starts and we realise that the supporters are not following the protocols we will rescind the decision to resume football. The clubs will then play in an empty stadium.

“I know if the supporters go to the stadia with their masks on and observe social distancing protocol, I don’t think any bad thing will happen.”