Equatorial Guinea fined over Afcon chaos during Ghana clash

Thursday night's semi-final clash was suspended
for 30 minutes as local fans hurled missiles at
players and away supporters
Equatorial Guinea have been fined $100,000
(€80,200) due to their fans' behaviour during
Thursday night's Africa Cup of Nations clash with
Ghana.
The semi-final tie in Malabo was suspended for 30
minutes after crowd violence that resulted in 36
people being injured, 14 of whom were taken to
hospital for treatment, with one person's condition
declared serious.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has now
taken action, with its disciplinary committe ordering
Equatorial Guinea's football federation (FEGUIFUT)
to cover all of the medical costs and pay a fine of
$100,000, while the national team will play their
third-place play-off against DR Congo under the
threat of their next home game being staged behind
closed doors.
A CAF statement released on Friday afternoon
statement read, "Pursuant to Articles 82, 83 and 151
of the Disciplinary Code of CAF, respectively related
to the principles of conduct, responsibility and
safety in the organization of games, the disciplinary
panel decided:
"To have the Equatorial Guinean Party cover the
cost of treatment of all injured persons during the
match.
"To impose on the Equatorial Guinean Federation a
fine of US$100,000 (One Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars) for aggressive behaviour and being
repeat offenders.
"To have the team of Equatorial Guinea play their
next game behind closed doors/in camera and
without spectators.
"However, to promote a spirit of Fair-play and
brotherhood during the AFCON2015, the Disciplinary
Panel decided to suspend the match behind closed
doors provided that spectators were not guilty of
such an offense in the 3rd/4th place classification
match.
"In the event of a repeat of identical incidents during
the classification match on 7 February 2015, the
disciplinary panel of CAF will automatically impose
the sanction of playing behind closed doors the
Equatorial Guinean team's next official match.
Ghana players left the pitch at half-time during the
game in Malabo under the cover of police as bottles
rained down from the home support, before the
game was suspended for half an hour in the second
half.
Objects were hurled towards the visiting support,
causing Ghana fans to take cover on the running
track behind one of the goals.
Police then used tear gas and a helicopter to
disperse Guinea fans before play eventually
resumed, with Ghana running out 3-0 winners
thanks to goals from Jordan and Andre Ayew,
and Mubarak Wakaso.
However, Blacks Stars boss Avram Grant admitted
afterwards that he feared for his players' lives.
"I didn’t know what was happening," the former
Chelsea manager stated. "I could not say I wasn’t
concerned but I wanted to keep my players safe –
it was very important for me."