Ghanaian referee dies after fans assault

Young referee Kyei Andoh has died days after being assaulted while officiating a lower division game in Ghana – opening whole new chapter of crowd violence in the local game.

The 21-year-old was said to have suffered severe beatings while refereeing a third tier match between Bordie-based Gold Stars and Naajoe United.

Referee Kyei Andoh was physically assaulted by the home fans [fans of Gold Stars] during and after the game played last Sunday in the Western Region.

He did not seek medical care – believed to have led to his untimely death a few days later.

“My brother had told us he was going to officiate a match and when he returned he told us of an incident that occurred in the match,” the deceased older brother Kweku Andoh Kyei narrated to Accra-based Asempa FM.

“That the home team assaulted him. He was even joking about the issue that one guy gave him a slap while others manhandled him.

"And then on Friday I was called and told that my brother was vomiting blood and had fainted.

"I was later called only to be told that he has passed away.”

The sad development is expected to spark a massive inquiry in the pursuit of justice for the deceased who will be buried next weekend.

The unfortunate death serves a devastating blow to efforts being made by all quarters to enhance the quality of local matches in Ghana.