RULING OF THE WESTERN REGIONAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (WRFA) DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE ON 11TH JUNE, 2024 AT THE WRFA OFFICE, SEKONDI 

CASE: 26

MATCH: CHICAGO FC VRS PROMISE FC

DATE: 29TH APRIL 2024

 

VENUE: CAM PARK AINYINASE

MEMBERS PRESENT

CONSTANTINE K. M. KUDZEDZI, ESQ CHAIRMAN

PETER KOJO BAIDOO, ESQ VICE CHAIRMAN

 

BRIEF FACTS

Promise FC protested against Chicago FC for fielding unqualified players in their match.

EVIDENCE

By a protest dated 02/05/24 Promise FC alleged that Chicago FC fielded unqualified players in their match. It attached a group photograph as well as a copy of the team sheet of Chicago FC.

The players affected by the protest are Klinsman Nipa (No.6), Abubakari Amidu (No.8), Mark Gyamfi (No.13), Bernard Essel (No.1), Emmanuel Saah (No.21), David Opei (No.17), Obed Anzah (No.30), Salifu Richard (No.12), Francis Owusu (No.7), Joseph Amihere (No.28) and Kwame Larbi (No.11).

Chicago FC did not file a Statement of Defence upon being notified and served with a copy of the Written Grounds and Statement of Case as provided in Article 35(8) (a) of the Regional Football Association League Regulations, 2021(hereinafter called “the Regulations”).

The Committee also examined the Referee’s Report as part of documentary evidence in the investigations and also conducted its own independent investigations about the players in question.

 

 

ANALYSIS OF EVIDENCE

It must be noted that per Article 33(12)(a) and (b) of the Regulations, the burden of proof is on the protesting club and so in this instance the burden is on Promise FC to prove the allegations made.

Again, Article 35(9) (a)-(d) mandates the Disciplinary Committee to consider the Statement and/or Evidence of the parties and deliver judgement immediately. Similarly, Article 35(9)(c) provides that the Committee shall consider the merits of the case and deliver its decision in any given case even if a party fails, neglects or refuses to file a Statement of Defence within the stipulated time.

The Committee was informed by Promise FC from its statement of case that Chicago FC fielded unqualified players. It stated that Klinsman Nipa, Abubakari Amidu, Mark Gyamfi, Bernard Essel, Emmanuel Saah, David Opei, Obed Anzah, Salifu Richard, Francis Owusu, Joseph Amihere and Kwame Larbi were not registered with Chicago FC. Promise FC attached group photographs as well as a copy of the team sheet of Chicago FC as evidence in support of its case.

The Committee considered the exhibits as attached by Promise FC and also considered the Referee’s report. The Committee noted from the Referee’s report and the team sheet that the players Klinsman Nipa, Abubakari Amidu, Mark Gyamfi, Bernard Essel, Emmanuel Saah, David Opei, Obed Anzah, Salifu Richard, Francis Owusu, Joseph Amihere and Kwame Larbi were featured in the match.

The Committee realised that aside the team sheet and the photographs, Promise FC did not attach any documentary evidence to prove its allegation against Chicago FC for fielding unqualified players. Even for the group photographs Promise FC stated that the photographs showing the back of the players were not taken and this is because the players refused to turn for the photograph. No further evidence was adduced in support of this allegation by Promise FC.

FINDING

  1. Klinsman Nipa, Abubakari Amidu, Mark Gyamfi, Bernard Essel, Emmanuel Saah, David Opei, Obed Anzah, Salifu Richard, Francis Owusu, Joseph Amihere and Kwame Larbi were fielded in the match.
  2. Promise FC failed to prove that Klinsman Nipa, Abubakari Amidu, Mark Gyamfi, Bernard Essel, Emmanuel Saah, David Opei, Obed Anzah, Salifu Richard, Francis Owusu, Joseph Amihere and Kwame Larbi were unqualified to be fielded in the said match.

DECISION

1. Promise FC failed to prove that Chicago FC fielded unqualified players in the match.

2. Per the evidence adduced Chicago FC is not found Guilty of the charges against Klinsman Nipa, Abubakari Amidu, Mark Gyamfi, Bernard Essel, Emmanuel Saah, David Opei, Obed Anzah, Salifu Richard, Francis Owusu, Joseph Amihere and Kwame Larbi.

SANCTIONS

1. Per Article 35(14) of the Regional Football Association League Regulations, 2021, the protest of Promise FC is declared as frivolous and dismissed accordingly and that the results of the match in question shall stand.

2. Promise FC shall pay a fine of Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢500.00) payable within 14 days upon receipt of this ruling.

 

DATED AT WRFA OFFICES, SEKONDI THIS 11TH JUNE, 2024

 

 

CONSTANTINE K. M. KUDZEDZI, ESQ

(CHAIRMAN)