The Ashanti Regional Police have arrested 24 persons for various offences during the Black Stars vs the Pharaoh�s of Egypt World Cup play-off at the Baba Yara Stadium on Tuesday.
Sixteen of those arrested were caught selling various denominations of the match tickets above face value, with another caught in possession of a fake ticket booklet.
Four of those arrested had attempted pick-pocketing while three others who possessed offensive weapons (knives and scissors) were arrested when they tried to enter the stadium with them.
Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), ASP Mohammed Tanko told the Daily Graphic the police were investigating the cases, including claims by some of those arrested for ticket racketeering that they got their supplies from some radio stations.
He said unlike fresh food produce that have no fixed value, it is an offence to sell goods and services such as tickets at prices other than the face value.
Racketeers had managed to create artificial shortages of the tickets meant for the match on Tuesday and were going round selling them at double or triple the face value. The situation left several football fans stranded in long queues for hours.
The police deployed plainclothesmen who went round to hunt and arrest the culprits.
Among those arrested was one who had sold half his booklet and another with a complete booklet.
The Black Stars won the first leg tie by an incredible 6:1 and must obtain a good result during the return encounter on November 19 to qualify for the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil.
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