Inter Allies have been relegated to the Division Two League after being found guilty of match-fixing.
The current Division One club will join AshantiGold in the third tier after the Ghana Football Association Disciplinary Committee sanctioned the Miners for the same offence.
READ THE FULL VERDICT BELOW
IN THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Misconduct Case: No. M 31–2021
PANEL
- Osei Kwadwo Adow (Esq.) – Chairman
- Carla Olympio (Esq.) – Vice Chairperson
- Lorraine Crabbe Ababio (Esq.) – Member
- Emmanuel Nikoi - Member
- Elsie Nana Acheampong – Member
- Nurudeen Alhassan - Member
- Justice Yeboah - Member William Bossman - Secretary
GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION vs. INTER ALLIES FC, CLUB OFFICIALS, PLAYERS AND TEAM OFFICIALS
-
IN THE MATTER OF A MISCONDUCT CHARGE AGAINST INTER ALLIES SC & OTHERS IN RESPECT OF THEIR GHANA PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST INTER ALLIES AT THE LENCLAY STADIUM
DECISION ON INTER ALLIES FC
(This decision must be read together with the decision on Ashantigold SC)
BRIEF FACTS
On 17th July 2021, Ashantigold SC played Inter Allies FC in the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League match day 34 game at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium. After the match, there were several reports within the local and international football space that the match was fixed to fulfill a correct score
of 5 goals to 1 in favor of Ashantigold SC. The match eventually ended in 7 goals to 0 against Inter Allies FC.
A video extract of the match circulated on various social media platforms showing a player of Inter Allies FC scoring two own goals. The video also showed a lackluster attitude of players on the field of play.
Sportradar, a Swiss based international company‟s fraud detection system, a unique service that identifies betting related manipulation in sports globally for a huge number of leagues through its vast amounts of data reported that there was strong pre match betting and telltale signs of fraud on the said match.
The GFA investigated the matter and in accordance with Article 34(5) of the GFA Premier League Regulations referred Inter Allies FC to the Disciplinary Committee.
CHARGES
Inter Allies FC was charged on two counts.
Count one. The Club was charged for a breach of Article 34(5)(a) of the Premier League Regulations (2019) for instigating, commanding, and counselling its players to play a fixed match or match of convenience between Ashantigold SC and Inter Allies FC to achieve a result in favor of Ashantigold SC, an act which the club knew or ought to have known at the time of engaging in it to be contrary to the Premier League Regulations of the Ghana Football Association.
Count two. The Club was charged for a breach of Article 34(6)(d) of the GFA Premier League Regulations, (2019) that both teams did act together with a common purpose to manipulate the match to achieve a desired result, an act which brought the game of football into disrepute.
The following players and officials of Inter Allies FC were charged for breaching Article 34(5)(a) of the GFA Premier League Regulations.
PLAYERS CHARGED
Players charged on one count for breaching Article 34(5)(a) of the GFA Premier league regulations(2019):
| Player Name | Jersey Number |
| Mohammed Zakari | 10 |
| Richard Acquaah | 27 |
| Shaibu Taufiq | 9 |
| Felix Abuska | 29 |
Players charged on two counts for breaching Article 34(6)(d) of the GFA Premier league regulations,2019 and Article 26(1) & (2) of the GFA Code of Ethics,2019.
Player Name Jersey Number
Richmond Lamptey 8
Fard Ibrahim 3
Player charged on four counts for breaching Article 34(12), Article 34(5)(a), Article 34(6)(d) of the GFA Premier League Regulations,2019, Article 11(2)(d) of the GFA Disciplinary Code.
Hashmin Musah – Player number 5 of Inter Allies FC
Players who did not appear before the Committee
| Player Name | Jersey Number |
| Alex Aso | 2 |
| Abdul Kadir Mohammed | 12 |
| Isah Ali | 13 |
| Sunday Henry Kalu | 37 |
| Andy Okpe | 45 |
| Kingsley Fidelis Kuku | 36 |
| Danso Wiredu Mensah | 40 |
Officials charged on two counts for breaching Article 11(2)(d) of the GFA Disciplinary Code,2019 and Article 34(5)(a) of the GFA Premier league regulations.
Adjetey Reuben – Team Manager
Boye Joseph Markwei – Goalkeepers trainer Felix Aboagye – Head Coach
GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LAWS
Article 34(5)(a) Premier League Regulations,2019, states:
any GFA or club official or club, or player or participant of a match who instigates, commands counsels solicits, procures, or in any manner purposely aids facilitates encourages or promotes the playing the playing of a fixed match or a match of convenience involving his club or involving other clubs, the result of which may in one way or the other affect his club,
commits a grievous offence and the offender shall be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for appropriate sanctions.
Article 34(5)(b) Premier League Regulations,2019, states:
for the avoidance of doubt it shall be a misconduct for any club, club official or a player or any participant of a match to offer or to attempt to offer either directly or indirectly any consideration whatsoever to another club, or a player or to any match official, with a view to influencing the results of any match for any club to play a match in anon competitive spirit for the purpose of this rule the determination of the competitiveness or otherwise of a match shall be done by the GFA Disciplinary Committee or Ethics Committee.
Article 34(12) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations states:
Anyone who conspires to distort the result of a match in a manner incompatible with sporting ethics will be sanctioned with a minimum of at least one (1) match suspension and a minimum of Two Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢2,000.00) fine. The Disciplinary Committee will also impose a ban on performing any football related activity, and in serious cases, the person shall be fined at least Five Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢5,000.00).
Article 18(1) of the GFA Disciplinary Code,2019 states:
anyone who directly or indirectly by an act or omission unlawfully influences or manipulates the course, results or any other aspect of a match or competition or conspires or attempts to do so by any means shall be sanctioned with a minimum 5 year ban on taking part in any football related activity as well as a fine of at least ghc100,000. In serious cases a longer ban period, including a potential lifetime ban on taking part in any football related activity shall be imposed.
Article 27(1) of the GFA Code of Ethics, 2019 states:
Persons bound by this Code shall not accept, give, offer, promise, receive, request or solicit any personal or undue pecuniary or other advantage in order to obtain or retain business or any other improper advantage to or from anyone within or outside GFA. Such acts are prohibited regardless of whether carried out directly or indirectly through, or in conjunction with, third parties. In particular, persons bound by this Code shall not accept, give, offer, promise, receive, request or solicit any personal or undue pecuniary or other advantage for the execution or omission of an act that is related to their official activities and is contrary to their duties or falls within their discretion.
Article 27(2) of the GFA Code of Ethics, 2019 states:
persons bound by this code shall refrain from any activity or behavior that might give rise to the appearance or suspicion of a breach of this article.
Article 11(2)(d) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, 2019 states:
Anyone who acts in any of the following ways may be subject to disciplinary measures; behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or GFA into disrepute;
Article 12(1)(b) of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019 states:
Players and officials shall be suspended for misconduct as specified below and may be fined accordingly at least one match for an appropriate period of time for unsporting behavior towards an opponent or a person other that a match official
STANDARD OF PROOF
With match fixing or manipulation being a complicated event that is capable of eluding direct investigation Article 35 (3) of the GFA Disciplinary Code states the standard of proof as Comfortable Satisfaction whiles Article 36 of the Disciplinary Code states that the burden of proof rests on the prosecution.
The Court for the Administration of Sports (CAS) explains Standard of proof in sports comfortable satisfaction as “not the evidence itself, but that it can prove the facts sufficiently in the eyes of the panel comfortably satisfied that a conduct of a type which undermines the basic premise of fairness upon which all sporting contests are premised actually
happened i.e., at a level greater than a mere balance of probability but less than proof beyond reasonable doubt”.
The GFA and CAS have refused to apply the proof beyond reasonable doubt standard because “comfortable satisfaction is more flexible than proof beyond reasonable doubt, but still more stringent than simple balance of probabilities. Comfortable satisfaction lies in between the two, not mere balance of probabilities” (Diaconu et al, International Sports Law Journal, 2021, 27-46).
Relying on both the GFA and CAS rules (both consistent with each other) the Committee determined its position on COMFORTABLE SATISFACTION and MEANS OF EVIDENCE for this case. It also made it clear to the parties that it is not bound to rigidly apply the procedural rules of the normal courts and that its freedom is only limited by the obligation to make sure that the procedural rules comply with the necessity for equal treatment of the parties and the right of all parties to be heard i.e. procedural public policy (Diaconu et al, International Sports Law Journal, 2021, 27-46).
In this case of match manipulation or match fixing the Committee was of the view that football competitions seen as natural conduct involves acts such as penalties, goals, fouls, and other conduct otherwise lawful but may be considered illegal. (Pakruojo at paras 81(i), 91-92). The Committee took the view that the search for evidence must call for the following elements among others: evidence for corroboration, consistency of testimonies and justification, behaviors before the match, on-field acts, proof of suspicious behavior on field of play, private meetings, phone calls etc.
The Committee therefore treated all documents presented and statements made by both clubs, players and the GFA‟s Investigations Report, Match Commissioner and Referee‟s reports as valuable and admissible evidence.
SUMMARY OF THE PROSECUTION’S CASE
Evidence of the Prosecution
The Prosecution relied mainly on the investigation report titled Preliminary Investigation Report in Respect to Ghana Premier League match day 34 match between Ashantigold SC and Inter Allies FC.
According to prosecution after the match, there were several reports within the football space of the match being fixed to fulfill a correct score of 5 goals to 1 in favor of Ashantigold SC. A video extract of the said match circulated on various social media platforms showing a player of Inter Allies FC scoring two own goals as well as a lackluster attitude of players on the field of play.
The Ghana Football Association Compliance & Integrity Office opened an investigation into the matter and on the 19th day of July, 2021, wrote to both clubs as corporate entities to submit a report on the match in relation to the allegation of match fixing. Inter Allies asked for an extension for the club to complete its internal investigations and submitted a comprehensive report on the 22nd July 2021.
One Emmanuel Nii Amoah (Volunteer of Inter Allies FC) was also invited to meet the team on three occasions on the 13th, 16th, and 26th days of
August 2021. His call records and Mobile Money records were also obtained for analysis.
Four players of Inter Allies FC, Isah Ali, Kingsley Fidelis Kuku, Sunday Henry Kalu, and Andy Okpe at the time of interrogations were in Nigeria. The team‟s plan was to meet these players in person however the players were not to return anytime soon. The Investigation Team interrogated the four players via a zoom meeting on September 28th, 2021.
According to prosecution during Interrogation, most of the players of Inter Allies made comments on hearing that the match was fixed. The players also made statements of hearing fans of Ashanti Gold chanting a score line of 5-1, when they got to the Obuasi Len Clay stadium.
Prosecution further revealed that Fard Ibrahim had a betting application on his personal mobile phone.
DEFENSE OF INTER ALLIES FC
By a letter dated 19th day of July 2021, the GFA Integrity Officer requested a full report on the alleged match fixing from Inter Allies FC. Inter Allies fc as a corporate entity responded to the request and submitted an internal investigation report 22nd July 2021. The club filed and attached a document titled “Press Release” marked as exhibit “B”, both documents dissociating Inter Allies from the allegation of match fixing. The Club submitted a document titled “Report of the Committee of Enquiry into alleged match fixing of Ghana Premier league matchday 34 between Ashantigold Sporting Club vs Inter Allies Football Club” marked Exhibit “C” submitted to the GFA
Investigation Team. The Vice President and CEO of the club Eric Delali Senaye filed a witness statement.
Paragraph 5 of the witness statement stated that the club promised the players GHc1,000 each to play competitively in order to attract interests and possible good offers from other clubs.
Paragraph 6 of the witness statement stated that he together with the Technical director detailed the personalities to travelled with the Club to Obuasi to play the match and they included the team manager, Ruben Adjetey, the head coach and his assistant and the medical officer.
Paragraph 8 of the witness statement stated that updates on the match showed that the club was 3:0 down at half time so he called the team manager to ensure that more goals were not scored against the club.
Paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 of the witness statement stated that he later learnt via a radio interview that Hashmin had scored two own goals and he became alarmed.
Paragraph 14 and 15 of the witness statement stated that all the players were invited including a volunteer of the club Nii Amoah who was not part of the delegation and he feigned knowledge of the developments.
Paragraph 16 of the witness statement stated that Nii Amoah denied any rumors of a 5 – 1 score line but heard the fans chanting various score lines.
Paragraph 16 further stated that Nii Amoah admitted receiving Ghc10,000 from an unknown person but failed to mention his name.
Paragraph 18 and 19 of the witness statement stated that in the course of its internal investigation, the name of Seth Osei a player of Ashantigold was mentioned as the one who approached Richmond Lamptey (Inter Allies player) to find out whether management of Inter Allies had informed the playing body of an arranged match of convenience with a score line of 5 – 1.
Paragraph 20 and 22 of the witness statement mentioned Gokel Ahotor and Hashmin as players who vowed to score own goals to prevent the score line of 5 – 1.
Paragraph 23, 24 and 26 of the witness statement relied on the GFA investigations report and the portions that connect Nii Amoah to Dr. Frimpong, President of Ashantgold SC and Mr. Frimpong CEO of Ashantigold SC and in respect of the amount of GHC10,000, the call log and mobile money account of Nii Amoah and the mobile money account of Phillingo Isaac Quist.
ISSUE(S): -
Whether or not Inter Allies FC per its officials and or players acted directly or indirectly fixed, influenced or manipulated the match.
THE LAW AND THE FACTS DEFINITIONS:
Match Fixing/Manipulation
The Ghana Football Association Disciplinary Code 2019 section 18 (1) states: anyone who directly or indirectly by an act or omission unlawfully influences or manipulates the course, result or any other aspect of a match and /or competition or conspires or attempts to do so by any means shall be sanctioned
The Macolin Convention Article 3 defines manipulation of sports competition as: “intentional arrangement, act or omission aimed at an improper alteration of the result or the course of a sports competition to remove all or part of the unpredictable nature of the aforementioned competition with a view to obtaining an undue advantage for oneself or for others”. Macolin on Manipulation of Sports Competition
A commentary on this definition also has it that manipulations does not refer to mere altering the result of a match or competition, but also any manipulation which influences the fair and natural course thereof.
In order to appreciate the evidence, the Committee categorized the thematic hearing as follows:
- Evidence on match fixing before the
- Evidence on match fixing during the
A. EVIDENCE ON MATCH FIXING BEFORE THE MATCH
Metalist, CAS 2013/A/3297 (strict liability for the club). Metalist was found guilty of fixing prior. The club was confirmed disqualified from the 2013-4 Champions League by UEFA’s Appeals Body based on proved fixing for the club.
Evidence of Communications Before the Match.
It is important to establish the status of Nii Amoah in the scheme of affairs. Per the case of prosecution Nii Amoah is a volunteer of Inter Allies FC and from the FIFA connect system he was registered as an official of Inter Allies FC for the 2014/15 season. Ashantigold also sees him as an official of Inter Allies. Evidence from prosecution indicates that with reference to the match in question he travelled on the same bus with Inter Allies FC to Obuasi and lodged at the same hotel with them but did not sit on the technical bench. Under these circumstances the Committee sees Nii Amoah as a de facto official of Inter Allies.
Relying on the GFA investigations report, the prosecution gave evidence regarding a detailed account of call records of Emmanuel Nii Amoah, Dr Kwaku Frimpong (President of Ashantigold) and Isaac Quist (the Mobile Money Merchant).
Prosecution showed that on 12th July 2021, around 4:57pm Dr Kwaku Frimpong called Emmanuel Nii Amoah and expressed his interest in the match in question. Dr Kwaku Frimpong then offered an amount of Ghc10,000 cedis and indicated that he will instruct someone (who was later found out to be Emmanuel Frimpong, the CEO of Ashantigold) to send the money. Thereon Emmanuel Nii Amoah, frequently contacted Dr Kwaku Frimpong to obtain more information on the details of Dr Kwaku Frimpong‟s interest in manipulating the match.
Prosecution went on further that before the match was played and between 12th of July 2021 and 19th July 2021, Dr Kwaku Frimpong called Nii Amoah
on two occasions. Within the same period Nii Amoah also contacted Dr Kwaku Frimpong 6 times and, within the same period, Nii Amoah contacted Emmanuel Frimpong 9 times.
Evidence of Mobile Money Transactions Between the Parties Before the Match
Prosecution further gave evidence regarding a detailed mobile money records of Emmanuel Nii Amoah, Dr Kwaku Frimpong (President of Ashantigold) and Isaac Quist (the Mobile Money Merchant).
Prosecution revealed that on the Thursday, 15th July, around 10:00am., Isaac Quist, Mobile Money Agent, received an amount of GHC10,000 which was sent in two batches of GHC 5000 within a minute from Prince Kwarteng also believed to be a mobile money agent.
Emmanuel Frimpong then called Nii Amoah around 10:23 am to confirm receipt of the money. Isaac Quist sent an amount of GHC 2000 on the 15th July to Nii Amoah. On 18th of July Isaac Quist again sent an amount of GHC 5000 to Nii Amoah, and another GHC 2,194 on the 22nd of July.
Defense of Inter Allies FC
Management of Inter Allies denied any relationship between Nii Amoah Gogo and Dr.Kwaku Frimpong and Mr. Emmanuel Frimpong. However Nii Amoah Gogo admitted during their internal investigations that he received an amount of Ghc10,000 from Emmanuel Frimpong.
Summary of the Evidence by the Committee
The testimonies and phones calls between Nii Amoah Gogo and Dr. and Mr. Frimpong are indicative that there was a kind of relationship between the parties.
The amount of GHc10,000 purported to have come from Mr. Frimpong through the Momo agents to Nii Amoah cannot be glossed over since they are pertinent to manipulation before the match. The question is, was the said money meant for player transfer or match fixing?
In the opinion of the Committee the money received by Nii Amoah Gogo and the phone calls on the day of the match as well as the evidence showing that Emmanuel Frimpong and Emmanuel Nii Amoah exchanged text messages 43 times between 3:12pm and 4:57pm during the match, with Emmanuel Frimpong texting Nii Amoah, 21 times aligns with match fixing more than anything else.
One piece of evidence that seeks to rebut the assertion that Nii Amoah is a volunteer of Inter Allies FC is the emphatic statement made in the defense of Ashantigold was that Nii Amoah is an official of Inter Allies FC. This was buttressed with exhibits from the FIFA connect for the 2014/15 season. Therefore, if Ashantigold SC sees Nii Amoah as an official of Inter Allies, then it stands to reason that through Nii Amoah Inter Allies becomes connected to the fixing of the match. The GHc1,000 promised to the Inter Allies players to play a competitive match therefore leaves doubts.
Above all, Nii Amoah‟s refusal to provide further information to the GFA Investigation Team further shows that he kept valuable information linking Inter Allies FC to the match fixing.
The principle in the case of Eskisehirspor, CAS 2014/A/3628 Sivasspor, CAS 2014/A/3525 is educative. The panel held, inter alia, that the law could not predict all acts, i.e. actions, otherwise legal, could influence match outcome. In this case bonuses from third parties to play well had influenced competition, skewed player motivation, and thus could imply undue advantage, infringing fair play. That case noted among others, secret meetings (drawing inferences from their nature) timing and nature of connected acts, corroboration and noting also that evidence not otherwise admissible could be used given the objectives of fighting fixing offences.
The panel found matches fixed and the club liable through acts of its official irrespective of culpability. Sanctions were upheld as justified, proportionate, connected to objectives and not contrary to principles of law.
- EVIDENCE OF MATCH FIXING DURING THE MATCH Pakruojo, CAS 2015/A/4351. (Strict responsibility) The panel considered league position and turnover ratte, player behaviour on and off-field, concesion of penalty (cheap goals) to conclude
presumed fixing. Disciplinary Committee sanctioned players with 8 months disqualification and the club with a fine)
Arrival of Inter Allies FC at the Match Venue
According to prosecution, on arriving at the match venue (stadium) players of Inter Allies heard from the crowd a 5 – 1 score line much to their
surprise. Gokel a player of Inter Allies indicated that Mohammed Zakari (player No. 10 of Inter Allies FC told him that „they have placed the match on bet‟. Hashmin then said that Mohammed Zakari told him he saw Richmond Lamptey an Inter Allies player giving a white paper to Nii and heard him say the match will end with that correct score of 5-1 so he should call the number on the sheet of paper for the person to stake the bet for him.
According to Prosecution, Richmond Lamptey stated during interrogation that Seth Osei of Ashanti gold SC called him at the entrance of their dressing room and asked him that „haven‟t your elders spoken to you‟.
Prosecution further indicated that Hashmin Musah, after addressing his teammates about the match being fixed told his teammates that if they don‟t play to their best to prevent the alleged correct score of 5-1, he will personally act to ruin the bet. Gokel Ahortor then made a statement that,
„today we will put sand in their gari‟ meaning the bet will be ruined.
Communications Between the Parties on the Day of the Match
On the day of the match Emmanuel Frimpong and Emmanuel Nii Amoah exchanged text messages 43 times between 3:12pm and 4:57pm during the match, with Emmanuel Frimpong texting Nii Amoah, 21 times.
Video Recording of the Match
Prosecution presented the video of the match. In the video, Hashmin Musah of the match, deliberately scored two own goals in the 77th minute
and 80th minute of the match. According to the prosecution this was after he realized the match might end 5-1 in favor of Ashantigold SC and so will not allow that to stand. Prosecution further indicated that Seth Osei‟s reaction after the first own goal showed his frustration about the correct score of 5-1 being ruined.
The video also showed that Danso Wiredu Mensah the goalkeeper for Inter Allies deliberately allowing the second and the fourth goals. Mohammed Zakari during interrogation told the investigation committee that Danso Wiredu was part of the network of individuals and or players who acted to manipulate the match hence his obvious negligence and deliberate acts to allow the goals scored by Ashantigold players.
Of much interest is that Hashmin, Danso Wiredu Mensah and Mohammad Zakari are from the same club and stood as a front divided to the extent that one of them rendered their side uncompetitive or all of them.
Labuts, CAS 2018/A/6072. Goalkeeper banned for one year for taking part in a fixed match. The appellant had taken part in a fixed match by deliberately failing to stop two goals from the opposing team.
Evidence of Players Demeanor in Relation to Fixing on the Field of Play
Prosecution submitted that from the 76th Minute of the match, and after Ashantigold SC had scored their fifth goal, the players of Ashantigold were not attacking fiercely as they used to. Similarly, players of Inter Allies, from the 76th minute were lackadaisical and did not show any sense of seriousness to defend or to attack.
EVIDENCE FROM PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS
Some Officials and Players of the team gave evidence on the events leading to and during the game. The following players and officials held the same opinion by testifying that the match was competitively played and they saw nothing indicating that the match had been fixed.
| Player Name | Jersey Number |
| Richmond Lamptey | 8 |
| Fard Ibrahim | 3 |
| Mohammed Zakari | 10 |
| Richard Acquah | 27 |
| Kingsley Fidelis Kuku | 36 |
| Hashmin Musah | 5 |
| Shaibu Taufiq | 9 |
| Felix Abuska | 29 |
|
OFFICIALS 1. Felix Aboagye – Head Coach of Inter Allies FC 2. Adjetey Reuben – Team Manager |
|
|
PLAYERS AND OFFICIAL WHO WERE INVITED APPEAR BEFORE THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE The following failed to attend the hearing. They were: |
BUT DID NOT |
Player Name Jersey Number
- Danso Wiredu Mensah 40
- Alex Aso 2
- Abdul Kadir Mohammed 12
- Isah Ali 13
- Andy Okpe 45
- Boye Joseph Markwei – Goalkeeper‟s trainer
*Emmanuel Nii Amoah – Volunteer of Inter Allies FC.
Referee and Match Commissioner’s Report
The Referee and Match Commissioners‟ Reports contain pieces of evidence that supports the GFA‟s investigation report on the video that the match was fixed and or manipulated. From the Referee‟s report, under the subtitle, incidents caused by players or team officials, the referee wrote “the two own goals scored by player numbered five (Hashmin Musah) was quite strange, he picked a pass from a teammate and kicked straight into his own goal”.
From the Match Commissioner‟s report under the subtitle, incident, the Match Commissioner wrote, “in the 77th and 80th minutes No. 5 (DF) player of Inter Allies Hasmin Musah intentionally scored two quick goals i.e., 6th and 7th goals respectively against his own team when he was not under any pressure. Surprisingly, the technical bench applauded him”.
From the above, the Committee therefore finds that there is enough corroborated evidence to comfortably satisfy itself that the actions of the plays on the field of play were indicative of a match that was fixed.
FINDING(S)
The crucial question at this point is whether the case of the prosecution has been proven. Having inferred from the facts and the corroborated pieces of evidence and of course the whole evidence before it, the Committee, finds as follows:
INTER ALLIES FC
- There was strong evidence that Inter Allies Football Club as a legal entity engaged in a fixed
- There is strong evidence of match fixing several days before the match between Ashantigold SC and Inter Allies FC by Nii Amoah Gogo, President of Ashantigold SC Kwaku Frimpong and the CEO of Ashantgold SC Emmanuel Frimpong.
- There was strong corroborated evidence of match fixing on the field of play between Ashantigold SC and Inter Allies FC.
- The GFA Investigation Team did not probe sufficiently into betting so not much was found on betting except snippets of evidence which cannot be linked to any betting system or suspicious betting Besiktas, CAS 2013/A/3258. Besiktas directly/indirectly involved in fixing. Lack of clarity on direct/indirect involvement was held to not be fatal as an illegibility determination was not sanctionary in nature.
- There is evidence of match fixing and betting creeping into the various GFA leagues if not already
PLAYERS OF INTER ALLIES FC
- By the evidence of the players there is strong evidence of match fixing before and during the game.
- Match fixing and betting is creeping into if not already present in the Ghana Football
OTHER OFFICIALS OF INTER ALLIES FC
By the evidence of the Officials of Inter Allies FC, the Committee find that:
- There is strong evidence of match fixing
SANCTIONS
- To protect the sporting integrity of football in Ghana Per Article 18 (2) of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019, Inter Allies FC as a corporate entity is sanctioned as follows
- That at the end of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season, Inter Allies FC shall be demoted to the Division Two League in accordance with Article 6(3)(h) of the GFA Disciplinary Code
- That a fine of GHc100,000.00 is imposed on Inter Allies FC in accordance with Article 6(1)(c) and Article 6(4) of the GFA Disciplinary Code
- That the Coach Felix Aboagye is banned from taking part in any football-related activity for a period of 24 months in accordance with Article 5(d)(i)of the Ghana Premier League Regulations.
- That the Team Manager of Inter Allies FC Reuben Adjetey 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
- That the underlisted players of Inter Allies FC in the said match are hereby banned for 24 months each in accordance with Article 5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations
| Player Name | Jersey Number |
| Mohammed Zakari | 10 |
| Richard Acquaah | 27 |
| Shaibu Taufiq | 9 |
| Felix Abuska | 29 |
- That Richmond Lamptey of Inter Allies FC is hereby banned for a period of 30 months in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations
- That Fard Ibrahim of Inter Allies FC is hereby banned for a period of 24 months in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations. He is further banned for a period of 12 months for placing bets on multiple matches and competitions on his
- That Emmanuel Nii Amoah aka Nii Gogo is hereby handed a life ban from all football related activities with immediate effect in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League
- That the underlisted players and Official of Inter Allies FC in the said match who failed to appear before the GFA Disciplinary Committee are hereby banned for 24 months each in accordance with Article 5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations.
Player
- Danso Wiredu Mensah
- Alex Aso – Player
- Abdul Kadir Mohammed – Player
- Isah Ali – Player
- Andy Okpe – Player
- Boye Joseph Markwei – Goalkeeper‟s trainer
- That the Hashmin Musah is banned from taking part in any football-related activity for a period of 24 months. However, the Committee has mitigated the sanctions due to the role he played in unravelling the fixed match. His sanction is therefore reduced to a period of six months and warned not to take the law into his hands but has a duty to disclose any such occurring to the GFA through the Integrity
- That all above-mentioned sanctions shall commence from the 2022-23 League
- 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.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are aimed at fighting corruption to protect the integrity of the game:
- Since match fixing is complicated and may involve many people particularly in this instant case and where the combination of investigations and adjudication may take some time and the league cannot be stayed and or put it on hold, the Committee recommends that under such circumstances all the teams involved and all players and persons involved or named in the investigation MUST be injuncted from participating in any football related activities pending the final determination of the This is a method that can ensure the promotion of integrity and equal opportunity for all competitors and constitute the fight against corruption in football in Ghana. In addition, International Transfer Certificates (ITC) must not be issued to players and or officials cited in ongoing cases of match fixing or match manipulation.
- Referees and Match Commissioners MUST be encouraged to report obvious and suspicious behavior on the field of play since their reports unravel aspects of fixing or manipulation which are difficult to unravel by ordinary investigations. On the contrary when such obvious and suspicious behaviors on and off the field of play go unreported by referees and match commissioners, and match fixing or manipulation is occasioned,
they must be included as collaborators or fixers of matches. For instance, failing to report obvious, deliberate and unsporting conduct such as deliberate own goal(s), lackadaisical attitudes. Such officers can also be a subject of investigations.
- In addition to GFA Disciplinary sanctions, match fixing or manipulation MUST be made a criminal offence, and anybody natural found to be involved be arrested and prosecuted with the possibility of prison sentence.
- Every club official, player and or participant in football should mandatorily sign the Integrity Declaration Form and deposit it at the Integrity office of the GFA on or before the commencement of any league season to ensure the strict liability
- The GFA must strengthen the Compliance & Integrity Office to enable it monitor both manipulation and illegal betting systems in Ghana.