Last season, Togo’s football stadiums witnessed numerous incidents of violence, from Kpélé-Kponvié to the Lomé municipal stadium, and beyond to Tchamba, Lavié, and Sokodé. These occurrences cast a shadow over championship days and raised concerns among players. As the new season commenced on Saturday, the Togolese Football Federation (FTF) is taking proactive measures to address this issue.
The FTF is initiating an awareness campaign titled “Let’s put violence offside” to promote more responsible behavior among stakeholders. Gabriel Améyi, president of the FTF, emphasized the importance of reminding everyone involved in football, including players and spectators, that football fields should not be venues for acts of violence. He stated in a press release issued on Sunday, “Football is governed by rules, and it’s the responsibility of referees and officials to enforce them. While human errors may occur, they should never provide justification for violence among players and fans.”
In the inaugural match of the first division championship on Saturday, Anges FC secured a 1-0 victory against Maranatha. Ahead of the match, the captains of both teams delivered a solemn declaration, urging players to prioritize fair play and “put violence offside.”
Tags: Ameyi, Angels FC, campaign, FTF, Maranatha, Let’s violence hors game, Togo, violence
