The GFA Disciplinary Committee “A” has imposed a fine of GH¢3,500 on Ebusua Dwarfs after being charged on two counts of misconduct in respect of the GN Bank Division One League match against Elmina Sharks played at Elmina.
Below is the full ruling of the Disciplinary Committee:
THE CHARGE Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs SC was charged with two counts of misconduct with regards to the GN Bank Division One League match between Elmina Sharks FC and Ebusua Dwarfs FC played at Elmina.
It was alleged that around the 78th minute of the match, when a decision was taken against Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs SC, the club failed to control the club’s supporters when they threw objects including sachet water and stones, onto the field of play which resulted in a temporary stoppage in violation of the Article 58 of the Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(1)(a), 35(4) and 35(7)(d) of the GFA General Regulations.
On the second count, it was alleged that immediately after the match, Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs SC failed to control the club’s supporters when they openly engaged in objects throwing with supporters of Elmina Sharks FC in violation of the of Articles 56 and 58 of the Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(2), 35(7)(d) and 35(4) of the GFA General Regulations.
DEFENCE Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs SC pleaded not guilty to the charge in its Statement of Defence, signed by Mr. J.F. Mensah and submitted a written response to defend itself against the charge. The club’s representative, John Ansah also attended the meeting of the Committee to further defend the club against the charges.
PROCEEDINGS AND FINDINGS The Committee considered the depositions in the Charge Sheet, the Statement of Defence, the oral evidence of Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs SC, the evidence from the prosecution, the video of the match and the reports of the match officials of the match.
The prosecution stated that as a result of the behaviour of the two clubs at the match, damages was caused to the vehicle, Tripod, SDI Cable, Plastic Chairs of First Digital TV, the television rights owner of the GN Division One League. According to the prosecution, the replacement of these damaged items will cost First Digital TV an amount of Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢3,000.00). In their defence, Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs SC stated that they were not guilty. The gravamen of Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs SC defence reads: “It is not in dispute that, some supporters of Elmina Sharks FC mixed up with those of Dwarfs FC. One is therefore at a loss as to how those who threw the stones were identified. In any case, if anything at all, it was rather the supporters of Elmina Sharks FC who were not pleased with the performance of the match officiating officials and expressed their displeasure by shouting on top of their voices and hooting at them.
Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs SC concluded by saying that as an away club they even played a part in facilitating the provision of security and “we therefore pray that no punitive action is taken against our club”.
The relevant provisions on ensuring the safety of match officials and all other stakeholders of the game are very clear and unambiguous. In respect of the two charges, clubs must be mindful of Article 35(4) of the General Regulations which states that “the Association shall hold clubs responsible for the misconduct of their supporters before, during and after a match”.
The Committee is satisfied with all the evidence including the video of the match before it that the conduct of the supporters of Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs SC amounts to misconduct and a breach of the GFA Regulations. The Committee holds both clubs responsible for the damage to the items of First Digital TV and hence Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs SC must therefore bear half of the damages caused to First Digital TV.
DECISION 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, hereby imposes a fine of Three Thousand Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢3,500.00) on Mysterious Dwarfs SC to be paid to the GFA within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of this Ruling, failing which Mysterious Dwarfs SC shall automatically forfeit all subsequent matches after the said deadline in accordance with Article 15(b) of the Disciplinary Code and Article 39(8)(b), 39(8)(d) and 39(8)(f) of the First Amendment to the General Regulations.
2. That the GFA is hereby ordered to pay an amount of One Thousand Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢1,500.00) out of the fine in Decision 1 above to First Digital TV as reimbursement for damages caused to their properties at the match.
3. That Mysterious Dwarfs SC and its supporters are hereby warned to be of good behaviour and that should the club be found guilty of any misconduct charges in future, the Committee shall apply the maximum sanctions against the club.
4. 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).