Kumasi Asante Kotoko have been handed a two-game home ban and a 15 000 dollar fine for their fans' attack on Benin referee Coffie Codjia during a Confederations Cup game at the Baba Yara Stadium.The Confederation of African Football (Caf) found Kotoko guilty assaulting the man generally regarded as Africa's top referee after he reported the incidents to the continental governing body.
But Kotoko will now pay those ugly scenes with a ban that could have a telling effect on their Champions League hopes next season with the first two games of their preliminary stage due to take place outside their Baba Yara fortress.Codjia had confirmed earlier reports that he had to take refuge in a restaurant outside the stadium for an hour before security men whisked him away.
He officiated in a controversial 2-2 draw between the home side and Etoile du Sahel in a result that ended Kotoko's hopes of further progress.The referee was also critical of security arrangements as he exited the stadium and against officials of the Ghana Football Association who, he says, were nowhere to be found throughout his stay in Kumasi and during his stay there.
Codjia had angered the Kotoko fans with his decisions and eyewitnesses in the tunnel, including journalists, say he was badly heckled on his way to the dressing room.On the advice of the security personnel, Codjia and his two assistants were dressed as Red Cross officials to escape the angry Kotoko fans who besieged the area just outside the dressing room.
Codjia's troubles in the tunnel were just a tip of the shameful behaviour by the fans.Even after escaping as a Red Cross 'official', Codjia's car was besieged by fans as it got stuck in the traffic outside the stadium forcing him and his assistants to take refuge in a restaurant.
