The GFA Disciplinary Committee “A” has imposed a fine of GH₵500.00 on Okwahu United after being charged on three counts of misconduct in respect of their GN Bank Division One League match against Istanbul FC.
PANEL 1. Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq. - Chairman 2. W.O.1 J.W. Amoo - Member 3. Godsway Glah - Member Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi - Secretary
THE CHARGE Okwawu United FC was charged with three counts of misconduct with regards to the GN Bank Division One League match between Okwawu United FC and Istanbul FC played at Nkwakaw. It was alleged that immediately after the Pre-Match Technical meeting, Okwawu United FC failed to control the club’s supporters when they physically attacked and punched the Operations Manager of Istanbul FC, Abeiku Thompson in violation of the Articles 56, 58 and 59 of the Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(3)(b), 35(7)(d) and 35(4) of the GFA General Regulations.
On the second count, it was alleged that around the 83rd minute, Okwawu United FC failed to control the club’s supporters, when they threw objects at the bench of Istanbul FC and at the Assistant referee hurting him; which caused a hold up of play for about four (4) minutes in violation of the Articles 56, 58 and 59 of the Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(1)(a), 35(2), 35(3)(b), 35(7)(d) and 35(4) of the General Regulations.
On the third count, it was alleged that immediately after the match, Okwawu United FC failed to control the club’s supporters, when they rushed on the players and officials of Istanbul FC and the match officials. It was further alleged that the supporters of Okwawu United FC deflated the tyres of the referees car and held the referees hostage for 30 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 GFA General Regulations.
DEFENCE Okwawu United FC pleaded not guilty to the charge in its Statement of Defence, signed by Mr. Enoch Agyare Addo and submitted a written statement to defend itself against the charge.
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 match.
On the first charge, Okwawu United FC explained that the club did not fail to control its supporters at the pre-match meeting as it was held without any incidents. The club also denied that the incident of charge two happened. On the third charge, the club stated that the match was a local derby and that it is strange to accuse Okwawu United FC in that respect when officials were not made aware of any such incidents. Okwawu United FC explained that they were not informed that the referee had brought a car to the match.
On the first and third count, the Committee holds in favour of Okwawu United FC with regards of the evidence. However, on the second count the evidence was clear. In respect of the charge two, 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 the evidence before it that the conduct of the supporters of the club amounts to misconduct and a breach of the GFA Regulations.
DECISION That the Committee having satisfied itself that the evidence adduced before it supports the charge of misconduct on the second count, hereby imposes a fine of Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢500.00) on Okwawu United FC to be paid to the GFA within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of this Ruling, failing which Okwawu United FC 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