Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Lydia Donkor has disclosed some findings as she leads investigations into the tragic stabbing of Asante Kotoko fan Francis Yaw Frimpong, popularly known as Pooley.
The police officer, tasked by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to probe the incident indicated that Pooley was stabbed outside the stadium during the violent clash that led to his death on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Nsoatre.
She also discussed emergency response services, enhancing security protocols, and dealing with culprits.
Here are the five major takeaways from DCOP Lydia Donkor’s interview with JoySports relating to Pooley’s death:
1. Pooley died outside stadium
“This unfortunate incident did not occur inside the stadium; it happened outside. He was later picked up by a tricycle and dropped at a section of the stadium. I must clarify this, as there are comments suggesting the police allowed someone to enter the stadium with a knife. Let me state that the police enforce a strict search regime,” she said.
DCOP Donkor added that Pooley could have sought police protection if he felt threatened.
“The best advice I can give is that if he had genuine concerns about threats to his life, he could have approached the police or informed someone in the area, so we would be aware,” she added.
2. Improving emergency response service
“I believe that, per their training, ambulance services respond to emergencies involving players or officials on the pitch. This incident has enlightened us to the need for sensitization. Ambulance drivers must remain in their vehicles to respond quickly to emergencies,” she said.
3. Installing CCTV Cameras at Stadia
“The conversation about installing CCTVs at our stadia is crucial. Well-positioned and functioning CCTVs make it easy to investigate incidents. We can identify perpetrators by reviewing footage. Videos or pictures can also aid in making further arrests,” Donkor noted.
4. Unacceptable for fans to join team bus
“The team bus is exclusively for players and officials. However, we often find supporters joining the team buses, which is unacceptable. Sometimes, they even follow the bus with an extra car.
“Unfortunately, in this incident, some supporters from the home team were in the safe zone, preventing the team bus from entering. This is totally unacceptable, and we recommend strict enforcement,” she indicated.
5. Interference in GFA’s disciplinary actions
“Some fans commit offences and get away with them. They may slap a referee, and nothing happens. When the police try to arrest or investigate, club owners and chiefs intervene, begging for leniency.
“This culture must stop, as it makes our work difficult. We must start prosecuting people and banning them from stadia. Unfortunately, this incident serves as a wake-up call,” DCOP Donkor noted.
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