There have been three different narratives regarding the incidents that led to the death of staunch Kotoko fan Francis Yaw Frimpong, also known as Pooley.
The timing and location have become the bone of contention concerning the tragic demise of Pooley who was stabbed during Kotoko’s 1-0 defeat to Nsoatreman on February 2, 2025.
Initially, eyewitness accounts indicated that the Kotoko fan was stabbed inside the Nana Konamansah Park at Nsoatre during a scuffle that broke out. They added that the culprit was within the stadium.
Affirming these reports was ace sports journalist Collins Atta Poku who told GhanaWeb in an interview that the incident happened before the game ended.
“Kotoko wanted to end the game when the scuffle ensued. I am reliably informed that when they attempted to do so, referee George Vormawah told them that he had spoken to the bosses in Accra, who directed him to continue the match. Why would you want to proceed when you know the security situation at hand?
“Kotoko wanted to boycott the game at some point. Pooley died before Nsoatreman scored their goal. Pooley died in the stadium, even before the game ended,” he told Emmanuel Enin in an interview on GhanaWeb TV.
However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Lydia Donkor, who was tasked by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to lead investigations into the tragic stabbing of Pooley, revealed in a Joy FM interview that the Asante Kotoko fan was stabbed outside the stadium during the violent clash that led to his death on February 2, 2025.
“This unfortunate incident did not happen inside the stadium. It happened outside, and he was later picked up by a tricycle and dropped at that section of the stadium.
“I have to clarify this because there are all kinds of comments suggesting the police allowed someone to enter the stadium with a knife. Let me state that the police enforce a strict search regime,” she said.
In the latest report, sports journalist E.K. Wallace of Asempa FM affirmed DCOP Lydia Donkor’s claim that Pooley died outside the stadium.
The Asempa FM journalist alleged that there was a misunderstanding between Pooley and the main suspect Braimah who was furious and ended up stabbing Pooley.
A tricycle driver named Sunsum then took him to the stadium for medical attention, but unfortunately, the ambulance service officials were unsuccessful in saving his life.
“Per my investigations, Pooley went to a particular hood, also known as a ghetto, for a boys’ conversation at Nsoatre. In the course of the discussions, there was a dispute unrelated to football. In the heat of the moment, tempers flared, and Braimah allegedly stabbed Pooley. A tricycle owner named Sunsum was taking him to the hospital, and on their way, Pooley saw the ambulance at the stadium and decided to stop to receive medical attention.
“Unfortunately, due to excessive bleeding, he shortly collapsed and died. Following the police arrests, Sunsum reported himself to the police to narrate what actually happened, so the police and some football officials are aware, hence the silence on the case recently. It is part of the reason Kotoko agreed to return to the Ghana Premier League,” he narrated in Twi during the Sports Nite show on February 27, 2025.
Despite the varying narratives concerning the timing and location of Pooley’s death, the Ghana Police Service are yet to conclude their investigations, as some suspects have been arrested for interrogation.
Pooley’s funeral will be held on March 6, 2025. The Ghana Premier League which has been on suspension since the incident, will resume on March 7, 2025.
Watch E.K Wallace’s remarks in the video below:
Meanwhile, Watch as Ghanaians tell Dede Ayew to retire from Black Stars to protect his legacy:
SB/EK