Ghana football returns Oct. 30 – Nana Addo announces

Football in the country has been cleared to return on October 30, 2020 after the President lifted restrictions on football activities imposed in March to curb the spread of the coronavirus, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced.

The announcement was made during President’s 17th address to the nation on the country’s coronavirus response on Sunday September 20, 2020.

“With respect to football, after due consultations with the Ghana Football Association, it has been decided that the Ghana Premier League and the Division One Football League will restart on Friday, 30th October, with a full regime of testing of the players, technical and management staff”, he stated.

The president further revealed that the various match venues will be allowed to admit spectators for up to 25% of the capacity of the facility.

“No spectators will be allowed at the training centres, and, when actual competition resumes, seating at all stadia will be limited to twenty-five percent (25%) capacity to ensure social distancing.

“Wearing of masks by spectators at stadia will be mandatory. The restart of all other sporting competitions will be determined on a case-by-case basis, pending consultations between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the respective sport associations,” he added.

The Ghana Football Association has already annulled the 2019/2020 Ghana football season which had reached the half way stage before COVID-19 struck.

A new football season is expected to begin on October, 30, 2020.

In proposals sent to the various clubs and the government’s COVID-19 Task Force, the GFA outlined strict protocols they intended to implement on the return of football.