The GFA Disciplinary Committee has cleared Referee Alex Akugre, Assistants Akugre Theophilus and Paul Aduko and 4th referee Noah Joshua from the bribery charge leveled against them after the Division One match Unity FC and Bofoakwa played at Goaso on April 29.

The Committee also cleared Nii Lokko of the Goaso Forestry Commission of the charge of bribing the match officials.

After the Committee’s investigations into the case, it held that the prosecution could not lead enough evidence to conclude beyond all doubt that the four match officials collected and refunded a bribe from one Nii Lokko, a resident of Goaso and an employee of the Forestry Commission.

In the end, the matter was decided on the word of mouth of the Match Commissioner and the five who stood accused.

The GFA Disciplinary Committee also held that Nii Lokko is not an official of Unity FC and henceforth shall not be dealt with by any official or attendant at any match.

After the said match, while on their way from the Police Station to the Lorry Station in the car of Nii Lokkoan alleged official of Unity FC, he allegedly demanded an amount of Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc3000.00) from the match officials and allegedly accused them of failing to “help” his club Unity FC to win the match as earlier agreed.

Nii Lokko was alleged to have said that he suspects that the away club gave the match officials more money and they returned the said amount to Nii Lokko in violation of the GFA Regulations.

The Disciplinary Committee in its ruling hereby cautions all match officials against transportation offers from Clubs, Club Officials, and spectators alike since the GFA pays their transportation cost for each match.