Over 40 Injured In Football Stampede at Cape coast

ACCRA, Ghana (PANA) - More than 40 people, most of them believed to be supporters and fans of first division side Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs, were injured Sunday following a stampede at the Cape Coast stadium after a premier league match with Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

The stampede occurred when the police threw teargas into the crowd after some fans threw objects such as bagged iced water and oranges onto the pitch as the referee was being led away after the match.

Some of the seriously injured fans were admitted at a hospital while those with minor injuries were treated and discharged.

Supporters told journalists that they resorted to throwing the missiles, saying the match was poorly because by referee Alex Quartey.

In the ensuing confusion, the fans destroyed the north-eastern part of the stadium perimeter and broke the gate as well as the doors to a newly built dressing room.

At least four policemen were injured in the fracas.

George Percy Ashun, Cape Coast Municipal Chief executive, who appealed for calm, blamed the police and said the Municipal Security Council would investigate the incident.

The match ended with a goal apiece. Dwarfs scored the opening goal in the 37th minute through Alex Takyi Menson, who meandered through the Kotoko defence to find the net.

Kotoko came back well composed after halftime, equalising in the 66th minute through Michael Osei from a corner-kick.