The GFA Disciplinary Committee “A” has imposed a GH¢500.00 fine on Windy Professionals after being charged on two counts of misconduct with regards to their GN Bank Division One League match against Ebusua Dwarfs FC played at Winneba.
PANEL 1. Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq. - Chairman 2. W.O.1 J.W. Amoo - Member 3. Godsway Glah - Member Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi - Secretary
IN ATTENDANCE Raphael Tottimeh - GFA Prosecutor
THE CHARGE Windy Professionals FC was charged with two counts of misconduct with regards to the GN Bank Division One League match between Windy Professionals FC and Ebusua Dwarfs FC played at Winneba.
On the first count, it was alleged that immediately after the match, the club failed to control club’s players and officials when they rushed to the field of play in an attempt to physically assault the match officials and also held the match officials hostage for about thirty-five (35) minutes in violation of the Articles 56, 58 and 59 of the Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(2), 35(3)(c), 35(7)(d) and 35(4) of the General Regulations.
On the second count, it was alleged that immediately after the match, the club failed to control your supporters when they were denied entry into the inner perimeter by the police, they threw objects at the match officials and the police with a stone hitting a player of Dwarfs FC who had to be rush to the hospital and the ambulance side door glass being smashed by one of the stones contrary to Articles 56, 58 and 59 of the Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(2), 35(3)(c), 35(7)(d) and 35(4) of the General Regulations.
DEFENCE Windy Professionals FC pleaded not guilty to the charges and requested for personal hearing.
PROCEEDINGS AND FINDINGS The Committee considered the depositions in the Charge Sheet, the oral evidence and the reports of the match officials of the match.
Windy Professionals FC explained that the number of supporters on the day was historic. Therefore the over 40 policemen present become inadequate but they manage the situation. The club further explained that management had repaired the ambulance and the player was attended to. The club pleaded for leniency.
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 is however mindful of the good job already done by the club concerning the match and the plea for leniency. The Committee urges all clubs to continue to educate the supporters.
DECISION That the Committee, having satisfied itself that the evidence adduced before it supports the charge of misconduct, hereby imposes a fine of Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢500.00) on Windy Professionals FC to be paid to the GFA within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of this Ruling, failing which Samartex 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.