RULING OF THE WESTERN REGIONAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (WRFA) DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE ON 10TH JUNE, 2024 AT THE WRFA OFFICE, SEKONDI
CASE 23:
MATCH: NSUOPUN FIDELITY FC VRS AKROPONGMAN UNITED FC
DATE: 7TH APRIL 2024

VENUE: NSUOPUN TOWN PARK

MEMBERS PRESENT
CONSTANTINE K. M. KUDZEDZI, ESQ CHAIRMAN

PETER KOJO BAIDOO, ESQ VICE CHAIRMAN

BRIEF FACTS
Nsuopun Fidelity FC protested against Akropongman FC for fielding an unqualified player in their match.

EVIDENCE
By a protest dated 09/04/24 Nsuopun Fidelity FC alleged that Akropongman FC fielded an unqualified player in their match. It attached a group photograph and copy of the team sheet of Akropongman FC.

The player affected by the protest is Samiu Adams (No.5).

Akropongman FC filed 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 player 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 Nsuopun Fidelity 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 Nsuopun Fidelity FC from its statement of case that Akropongman United FC allowed an unqualified player to be used in their match. It stated that during the inspection of licenses, the club realised that Samiu Adams’ license bears a different name from what all of them know because he had played for Real Betis FC in their zone previously with the name Mohammed Samin. It indicated again that on the FIFA Connect System, Mohammed Samin had registered with Real Betis FC with the date of birth 24-01-1998 with FIFA ID: 1163EX1. Again, Samiu Adams who happened to be the same person had registered with Akropongman United FC with the date of birth 24-02-2007 with FIFA ID 1L13IY4. Nsuopun Fidelity FC attached a group photograph and a copy of the team sheet of Akropongman United FC as evidence in support of its case.

On the other hand, Akropongman United FC in its defence denied the allegations levelled against it. The club stated that the protest by Nsuopun Fidelity FC lacks merit and is frivolous, malicious and should be dismissed with punitive cost. Further, it stated that Samiu Adams was transferred to Akropongman United FC on August 20, 2023 by Asikuma United FC and the details on his release letter was sent to the GFA for his registration. The club also indicated that it had not tampered with the player’s transfer details and is unaware of any registration of the player with any other club in Ghana or abroad which is different from the name that the player was initially registered with by his mother club Asikuma United FC before being transferred to Akropongman United FC.

The Committee considered the exhibits as attached by the parties and also considered the Referee’s report. The Committee noted from the Referee’s report and the team sheet that the player in question Samiu Adams was fielded in the match. The Committee also made an independent search and verification from the FIFA Connect System as part of its investigations.

The Committee realized that Nsuopun Fidelity FC supported their claim with the team sheet and group photograph of Akropongman United FC and no other documents were attached in support of the allegation. Even though, Nsuopun Fidelity FC indicated in the Protest that it attached screenshots of the details of the two registrations of the player in question, no such screenshot was attached.

In its defence Akropongman United FC stated that Nsuopun Fidelity FC’s protest is frivolous and supported its claims with a release letter from Asikuma FC and printout of National Health Insurance Scheme Card of Samiu Adams, the player in question.

FINDINGS
Samiu Adams was fielded in the match.
Nsuopun Fidelity FC failed to prove that Akropongman United FC fielded unqualified player in the person of Samiu Adams.

DECISION
Per the evidence adduced Akropongman United FC is not found Guilty of the charges against Samiu Adams.

SANCTIONS
1. Per Article 35(14) of the Regional Football Association League Regulations, 2021, the protest of Nsuopun Fidelity FC is declared as frivolous and dismissed accordingly and that the results of the match in question shall stand.
2. Nsuopun Fidelity 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 10TH JUNE, 2024

CONSTANTINE K. M. KUDZEDZI, ESQ
(CHAIRMAN)