Ashantigold SC faces these sanctions over match manipulation

The Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has released its verdict regarding investigations of match-fixing by football club Ashantigold SC, club officials, players, and team officials.

According to the document signed by its Chairman Osei Kwadwo Adow, Esq. and dated Monday, May 16, 2022, the case relates to a matter of misconduct against Ashantigold SC & others in respect of their Ghana Premier League match against Inter Allies FC at the Lenclay Stadium on July 17, 2021. 

As reports of pre-match betting and telltale signs of fraud were made against Ashantigold after that particular match, the GFA Compliance & Integrity Office together with the GFA Prosecutors who investigated the matter and preferred charges against the two clubs, then referred Ashantigold SC to the Disciplinary Committee.

According to the Committee, to protect the sporting integrity of football in Ghana per Article 18(1) & (2) of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019, Ashantigold Sporting Club as a corporate entity is sanctioned as follows: 

1. That at the end of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season, Ashantigold SC shall be demoted to the Division Two League in accordance with Article 6(3)(h) of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019.
2. That a fine of GHc100,000.00 is imposed on Ashantigold SC in accordance with Article 6(1)(c) and Article 6(4) of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019.
3. The President of Ashantigold SC Dr. Kwaku Frimpong is banned from taking part in any football-related activity for a period of 120 months in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019 .
4. That a fine of One hundred thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc100,000) is imposed on Dr. Kwaku Frimpong in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(ii) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019.
5. That the Chief Executive Officer of Ashantigold SC Emmanuel Frimpong is banned from taking part in any football-related activity for a period of 96 months in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019.
6. That a fine of Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc50,000) is imposed on the Chief Executive Officer of Ashantigold SC Emmanuel Frimpong in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(ii) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019.
7. That the Head Coach of Ashantigold SC Thomas Duah is banned from taking part in any football-related activity for a period of 24 months in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019.
8. That the Team Manager of Ashantigold SC Aidoo Gee Ahmed is banned from taking part in any football-related activity for a period of 24 months in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019.
9. That the underlisted players of Ashantigold SC are hereby banned for 24 months each in accordance with 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019. Players: Stephen Owusu Banahene, Dacosta Ampem, Frank Akoto, Agyemang Isaac Opoku, Amos Kofi Nkrumah, Eric Esso, Moses Kwame, and Solomon Afriyie.
10. That Samed Mohammed, Player number 32 of Ashantigold SC is hereby banned for 30 months in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019.
11. That Seth Osei, Player number 33 of Ashantigold SC is hereby banned for a period of 30 months in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019.
12. That the underlisted players and official of Ashantigold SC who were invited but failed to appear before the Committee are hereby banned for 48 months each in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations: Emmanuel Owusu – Player 2. Mohammed Bailou – Player 3. Amos Addai – Player 4. Paul De Vries Asare – Player 5. Nana Kwasi Darling – Sporting Director.

The sanctions are to take effect from the 2022-23 League season. 

“This decision shall be communicated to FIFA to be given international application in accordance with the GFA Disciplinary Code and FIFA Disciplinary Code considering that a number of players are now playing in clubs outside the jurisdiction of the Ghana Football Association,” it said.