Elmina Sharks have been fined an amount of GHC750.00 in respect of their GN Bank Division One League match against Eleven Wise.
The GFA Disciplinary charged Elmina Sharks with one (1) count as per the charge sheet for preventing the GFA cameraman from covering the said match in violation of the GFA General Regulations.
Elmina Sharks FC in its Written Statement of Defence pleaded not guilty against the charge and waived its right to personal hearing.
PROCEEDINGS AND FINDINGS The Committee examined the depositions in the Charge Sheet, the Written Statement of Defence and the reports of the match officials of the said match.
In its Statement of Defence signed by the Team Manager of the club, George Wiredu, Elmina Sharks FC explained that the club was suspicious that the cameraman (who the club claimed was an official per the Regulations) was not sent by the Ghana Football Association to cover the match. According to the club, the cameraman did not have an identification card and could only produce an unreferenced form from the GFA hence the club’s action to refuse the coverage of the match by him.
The Committee, after examining the written Statement of Defence, was clear in its position that the cameraman was one of the officials or attendants for any sanctioned match of the GFA. That as such once he introduces himself to the Match Commissioner, it was not the responsibility or mandate of any of the clubs to decide that because he does not have an identity card, he would not be allowed to perform his functions at the match.
The Committee is of the view that the GFA has the right to assign any cameraman to any match, and the lack of notification or identification can never be used as an excuse by any club to prevent the filming of any match. Indeed, it is only when one of the clubs intends to film a match that their approval must be shown to the other club. It is important to note that at all material time before kick-off, the Match Commissioner is the one mandated to take decisions concerning the match.
The Committee is satisfied that Elmina Sharks has breached the regulations of the GFA by not allowing the cameraman to film the match, thereby denying the GFA and, indeed, this Committee of the footage of the match thereby putting the game into disrepute. This Committee shall accordingly apply the necessary sanction against Elmina Sharks FC in this respect.
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 against Elmina Sharks FC with respect to Article 35(1)(c) of the GFA General Regulations, hereby imposes a fine of Seven Hundred and Fifty Ghana Cedis (GH¢750.00) against Elmina Sharks in accordance with Article 35(1)(c) of the GFA General Regulations.
2. That the fine mentioned in Decision 1 above shall be paid to the GFA within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of this Ruling, failing which Elmina Sharks FC shall automatically forfeit all subsequent matches after the said deadline in accordance with Article 39(8)(b), 39(8)(d) and 39(8)(f) of the First Amendment to the GFA General Regulations.
3. That should any party be dissatisfied with or aggrieved by this Decision, 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).