The two-match home ban slapped on Ghana’s champion club Kumasi Asante Kotoko by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for crowd violence after the recent Confederation Cup match against Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia, could be described as quite a reasonable punishment.

Never mind the fact that there is an additional fine of 15,000 dollars. To my mind, the punishment could have been worse. Kotoko supporters lost their patience a little too quickly in that ill-fated match played at the Baba Yara sports stadium in Kumasi. The 2-2 draw that effectively ended Kotoko’s championship dreams, was most unexpected if you want to base it on the trend of play. It is painful if you cannot make use of home grounds, but then it is most unsporting to attack a referee after a match no matter his strange decisions during the match.

It has to be admitted that Beninois referee Coffie Codja was not at his best form on the day. The penalty against Kotoko was controversial but that was no excuse for him to be heckled in any way. If anything, the Kotoko supporters should have been rather stern on their own players who at certain stages, played as if there was not much at stake. Build up was slow. It took them too long a time to launch an attack and when they did, they carelessly threw away good chances.

Collectively, Kotoko did not appear to have prepared in harmony for that crucial match. The rigmarole surrounding the position of head coach Bashiru Hayford, who was on the touchline apparently as an ordinary spectator did not enhance team spirit and comradeship.

Much as referees are expected to be as neutral as possible, as humans, an excellent hospitality especially decent accommodation could unconsciously sway him to give the home team the benefit of the doubt in a dicey situation. This, most fans believe should be the responsibility of the club’s Director of Operations. It is difficult to perceive that the referee might have been antagonized by the home team before kick off because he hardly gave Kotoko the benefit of the doubt in any 50-50 situation. Kotoko’s Director of Operations, Jerry Asare was naturally unamused and he could not sincerely flatter the referee who accused Jerry of inciting the crowd to attack him.

Of course this accusation could not be substantiated and Jerry escaped any CAF ban, leaving Kotoko to their fate. Unfortunately, it is the typical Kumasi-based fans who would feel the pinch in the two match home ban. Instead of the usual bus fare from home to the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi, it would be a long journey to Accra, which would be the most likely new home ground and considering the expenditure involved this is not funny.

It is hoped Kotoko fans would learn a lesson from the temporary home ban for next year’s champions league and comport themselves well during the start of the premier league. This may even earn them a reprieve by CAF, who knows.