In the aftermath of the World Cup qualifier clash between Ghana and Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium on November 17, 2023, FIFA has imposed a 5,000 Swiss Francs fine on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for misconduct. The fine is a consequence of two breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during the match.
The first violation occurred with the intrusion of a spectator onto the pitch following Inaki Williams’ game-winning goal. The second breach involved the presence of unauthorized and unaccredited individuals within the restricted area, who joined the players in their post-goal celebrations.
FIFA acknowledged the efforts of the security team in managing the situation but emphasized the necessity for enhanced access control and improved internet facilities at the stadium. This incident marks the second instance in recent years that Ghana has faced penalties for fan encroachment during matches. In 2019, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined the GFA $10,000 for a similar occurrence during a Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa.
Despite the narrow 1-0 victory secured by the Black Stars, courtesy of Inaki Williams’ late strike, FIFA has urged the GFA to address the identified shortcomings at the Baba Yara Stadium to prevent further sanctions in the future.
