The GFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed GH¢2000 fine on Bibiani Gold Stars and Dunkwa United in respect of their GN Bank Division One League match played at Bibiani Park.
PANEL 1. Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq. - Chairman 2. Godfred Yeboah Dame, Esq. - Vice-Chairman 3. W.O.1 J.W. Amoo - Member 4. Godsway Glah - Member
Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi - Secretary
IN ATTENDANCE Raphael Tottimeh - GFA Prosecutor
THE CHARGE Bibiani Goldstars FC was charged with two counts of misconduct with regards to the GN Bank Division One League match between Bibiani Goldstars FC and Dunkwa United played at Bibiani.
On the first count, Bibiani Goldstars FC was charged for failing to control the club’s supporters when, in the 13th minute of the match, the club’s supporters threw stones, water and other objects at the bench of the away team which forced the officials of Dunkwa United to run to the field of play for their safety resulting in a twelve (12) minutes hold up of play contrary to Articles 35(1)(a), 35(3)(b), 35(4) and 35(10) of the GFA General Regulations.
On the second count, Bibiani Goldstars FC was charged for failing to control the club’s supporters when immediately the match ended, the club’s supporters insulted and threatened to physically assault the away team, prompting the intervention of the Police to rescue them in the Police vehicle to the Police Station. This behaviour is said to be contrary to Articles 56, 58 and 59 of the Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(3)(c), 35(4) and 35(10) of the GFA General Regulations.
DEFENCE OF BIBIANI GOLDSTARS FC Bibiani Goldstars FC pleaded not guilty to the two charges in its Statement of Defence, signed by Mr. John Kwasi Adu, and waived the club’s right to a personal hearing but submitted a written statement to defend itself against the two charges.
PROCEEDINGS AND FINDINGS The Committee considered the depositions in the Charge Sheet, the Statement of Defence and the reports of the match officials of the said match. The Committee deemed it fit to invite Goldstars FC to provide further evidence but the club could not attend the hearing stating that it would rely on its Statement of Defence concluding that the club hopes that the Committee will temper justice with mercy.
On the first count, Bibiani Goldstars made reference to the first leg match between Goldstars FC and Dunkwa United and explained that the supporters of Goldstars FC were very angry and were bent on avenging the beating meted to their players and some supporters of Goldstars FC by the supporters of Dunkwa United. Goldstars FC stated that based on intelligence information gathered, the club’s management took measures to control the supporters. The club also added that the assistant coach of Dunkwa United shouted at and called the supporters names which caused a ripple effect considering the volatile situation but management controlled the situation immediately.
After considering all the evidence, the Committee was of the opinion that there can be no justification for the behaviour of the supporters especially as the Disciplinary Committee was already handling the issues raised in the first leg match.
On the second count, Bibiani Goldstars FC explained that the occurrence was a security strategy by the security personnel to order both clubs to the centre of the field. According to Goldstars FC the away team bus was parked at the police station in order to avert trouble and hence the decision to take the away team to the police station. The prosecution however, provided evidence from the match reports to the contrary in that the attacks started which prompted the security to react in such a manner to ensure safety of lives and property.
The relevant provisions on ensuring the safety of match officials and all other stakeholders of the game are very clear and unambiguous. These include Articles 10 of the Division One League special Regulations and Articles 66 of the Disciplinary Code which places a huge responsibility on the home club.
In respect of the charges against supporters, clubs must also be mindful of Article 35(4) which states that “the Association shall hold clubs responsible for the misconduct of their supporters before, during and after a match”.
In this particular case, after reviewing the evidence, the Committee is satisfied with the evidence before it that the conduct of the supporters amounts to misconduct and a breach of the GFA Regulations. The Committee urges all clubs to continue to educate its supporters and ensure the safety of all stakeholders who attend matches.
DECISIONS
The Disciplinary Committee makes the following decisions:
1. That the Committee, having satisfied itself that the evidence adduced before it supports the charge of misconduct on count one, hereby imposes a fine of One Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢1,000.00) on Bibiani Goldstars FC in accordance with Article 35(4) of the GFA General Regulations.
2. That the Committee, having satisfied itself that the evidence adduced before it supports the charge of misconduct on count two, hereby imposes a fine of One Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢1,000.00) on Bibiani Goldstars FC in accordance with Article 35(4) of the GFA General Regulations.
3. That Bibiani Goldstars FC and its supporters are hereby warned to be of good behaviour and that should the club be found guilty of any misconduct charges during this football season, the Committee shall apply the maximum sanctions against the club including a stadium ban.
4. That the fines totaling (GHc2,000.00) mentioned in Decisions 1 and 2 above, shall be paid to the GFA within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of this Ruling, failing which Bibiani Goldstars FC shall automatically forfeit all subsequent matches after the said deadline in accordance with Article 15(b) of the GFA Disciplinary Code and Article 39(8)(b), 39(8)(d) and 39(8)(f) of the First Amendment to the GFA General Regulations.
5. That should any party be dissatisfied with or aggrieved by this Ruling, the party has within three (3) days of being notified of this Ruling to appeal to the Appeals Committee (See Article 37(11) of the General Regulations of the GFA).