Assistant referee Muntala Mohammed banned six weeks for punching Istanbul FC player in MTN FA Cup match

Published on: 18 June 2015
Assistant referee Muntala Mohammed banned six weeks for punching Istanbul FC player in MTN FA Cup match
MTN FA Cup

Assistant Referee Muntala Mohammed has been suspended for a period of six (6) weeks weeks in respect of the MTN FA Cup Round of 16 match between Aduana stars FC and Istanbul FC played on May 24, 2015 at Dormaa.

The Assistant referee in the said match was charged for failing to control himself when his colleague referee was assaulted by a player; he punch Henry A. Salifu, a player of Istanbul FC in retaliation in violation of Articles 35(7)(d) and 39(7) of the GFA General Regulations.

DEFENCE Assistant Referee Muntala Mohammed in his Statement of Defence pleaded not guilty to the charge.

PROCEEDINGS AND FINDINGS The Committee examined the depositions in the Charge Sheet, the Statement of Defence and the reports of the match officials of the match.

In his Statement of Defence, Assistant Referee Muntala Mohammed stated that: “...player number 6 by name Henry A. Salifu of Istanbul F/C assaulted Patrick Kyeremateng, the referee for the MTN FA cup round of 16 match involving Aduana Stars F/C and Istanbul F/C. This drew me to the action spot to intervene. As I was going to the action spot, I saw the said player also attacking Eric Owusu Mensah, the Assistant Referee One. Within a split of a second, I saw Henry A. Salifu also coming to where I was standing sensing that, he will attack me, I used my flag as a defensive weapon. I therefore write to the Committee that, my action was not intentional but due to the reaction of the said player, Henry A. Salifu that cause it. Hence I did not lose my temper”.

The Committee watched the video of the match and finds that during the melee, Assistant Referee Muntala Mohammed hit the player with his assistant referee flag. The Committee accepts the view that the conduct of the player prompted the action of Assistant Referee Muntala Mohammed. However, it is the position of the Committee that Assistant Referee Muntala Mohammed should have resisted the temptation irrespective of the behaviour of Henry A. Salifu. The Committee appreciates the view of the Assistant Referee but it is our expectation that that as an official the Assistant Referee will act as a “mediator” rather than to allow himself be moved by emotions.

The Disciplinary Committee was satisfied with the evidence before it that the conduct of Assistant Referee Muntala Mohammed is in breach of the GFA Regulations and will sanction him accordingly.

The Disciplinary Committee in sanctioning Assistant Referee Muntala Mohammed was mindful of Article 19(4) which provides as follows: Article 19(4) “No person against whom disciplinary action has been taken or is pending shall be appointed to officiate in any competition under the jurisdiction of the Association. Where the disciplinary action results in sanctions, the disqualification herein contained shall cease to apply as soon as the sanction has been served.

DECISION

The Disciplinary Committee makes the following decisions:

1. That for failing to control himself when his colleague referee was assaulted by a player and for attempting to punch the player, Henry A. Salifu, Assistant Referee Muntala Mohammed is hereby suspended for a period of six (6) weeks in accordance with Articles 39(1) of the General Regulations of the GFA.

2. That the suspension in Decision 1 above shall take effect from the day of the charge, June 1, 2015 to July 12, 2015 in consequence of Article 19(4) of the General Regulations.

3. That should Assistant Referee Muntala Mohammed be dissatisfied with or aggrieved by this Decision he has within seven (7) days of being notified of this Decision to appeal to the Appeals Committee. (See Article 19(6) of the General Regulations of the GFA).

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