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

CASE : 25
MATCH: TARWA BARCELONA FC VRS REAL TARKWA UNITED FC
DATE: 27TH APRIL 2024

VENUE: TARKWA CYANIDE ASTRO TURF

MEMBERS PRESENT
CONSTANTINE K. M. KUDZEDZI, ESQ CHAIRMAN
PETER KOJO BAIDOO, ESQ VICE CHAIRMAN

BRIEF FACTS
Tarkwa Barcelona FC protested against Real Tarkwa United FC for fielding unqualified players in their match.

EVIDENCE

By a protest dated 29/04/24 Tarkwa Barcelona FC alleged that Real Tarkwa United FC fielded unqualified players in their match. It attached extracts from the FIFA Connect System, group photograph as well as a copy of the team sheet of Real Tarkwa United FC.

The players affected by the protest are Nathan K. Tettey (No.19), Stephen Mahamah (No.15), Desmond Opoku (No.16), Ibrahim Tiote Salla (No.2), Prince Abgodza (No.3), Theophilus Obeng (No.6), Shadrack Cobbinah (No.8), Emmanuel N. Y. Amoako (No.14), Daniel Gyimah (No.5) and Nana Yaw Gyamfi (No.11).

Real Tarkwa United 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 and Printout of player’s registration from the Ghana Football Connect System 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 Tarkwa Barcelona 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.

Tarkwa Barcelona FC stated in its Statement of Case that Real Tarkwa United FC fielded unqualified players. It stated that Prince Abgodza Dzigbordi with FIFA ID No. 1IHU2L3 and License No. GHA179893M was registered with Tarkwa Barcelona FC, Ibrahim Tiote Sallah with FIFA ID No. 10FNUM6 was registered with Sekondi Eleven Wise FC and Nana Yaw Gyamfi with FIFA ID No. 1HG15A9 and license No. GHA164302M was registered with Bassanyin SC.

Tarkwa Barcelona FC attached extracts from the FIFA Connect System which contains the details of the registrations done by the players in question, group photographs as well as a copy of the team sheet of Real Tarkwa United FC as evidence in support of its case.

The Committee considered the exhibits as attached by Tarkwa Barcelona FC and also considered the Referee’s report. The Committee noted from the Referee’s report and the team sheet that the players Nathan K. Tettey, Stephen Mahamah, Desmond Opoku, Ibrahim Tiote Salla, Prince Abgodza, Theophilus Obeng, Shadrack Cobbinah, Emmanuel N. Y. Amoako, Daniel Gyimah and Nana Yaw Gyamfi were featured in the match.
The Committee also made an independent search and verification from the FIFA Connect System as part of its investigations.

The Committee realised from the pictures attached to the extract from the FIFA Connect System that Prince Dzigbordi Agbodza was registered with Tarkwa Barcelona FC, Sallah Ibrahim Tiote was registered with Sekondi Eleven Wise FC and Nana Yaw Gyamfi was registered with Bassanyin SC.

The Committee also found that Nathan K. Tettey, Stephen Mahamah, Ibrahim Tiote Salla, Prince Abgodza, Theophilus Obeng, Emmanuel N. Y. Amoako and Nana Yaw Gyamfi were not registered with Real Tarkwa United FC at the time of the Match.

The Committee again found that Real Tarkwa United FC registered Desmond Opoku on 08/02/2024, Shadrack Cobbinah on 22/02/2024 and Daniel Gyamfi on 01/02/2024 making them eligible for the match.

FINDINGS

  1. Nathan K. Tettey, Stephen Mahamah, Desmond Opoku, Ibrahim Tiote Salla, Prince Abgodza, Theophilus Obeng, Shadrack Cobbinah, Emmanuel N. Y. Amoako, Daniel Gyimah and Nana Yaw Gyamfi were fielded in the match.
  2. Nathan K. Tettey, Stephen Mahamah, Ibrahim Tiote Salla, Prince Abgodza, Theophilus Obeng, Emmanuel N. Y.
  3. Amoako and Nana Yaw Gyamfi were not registered with Real Tarkwa United FC
    Nathan K. Tettey, Stephen Mahamah, Ibrahim Tiote Salla, Prince Abgodza, Theophilus Obeng, Emmanuel N. Y. Amoako and Nana Yaw Gyamfi were unqualified to play the match.
  4. Desmond Opoku, Shadrack Cobbinah and Daniel Gyimah were registered with Real Tarkwa United FC.
  5. Desmond Opoku, Shadrack Cobbinah and Daniel Gyimah were qualified to play the match.

DECISION

Nathan K. Tettey, Stephen Mahamah, Ibrahim Tiote Salla, Prince Abgodza, Theophilus Obeng, Emmanuel N. Y. Amoako and Nana Yaw Gyamfi who played the match were unqualified to play as provided for in Article 28(1) (a) and 2(a) of the Regional Football Association League Regulations, 2021.
Per the evidence adduced Real Tarkwa United FC is found Guilty of the charges of fielding an unqualified player as provided by Article 33(1) (e).

SANCTIONS

  1. Per Article 33(1)(e) of the Regulations, Real Tarkwa United FC shall forfeit the match.
  2. In line with Article 33(2) of the Regulations, Real Tarkwa United FC is declared loser of the match. Tarkwa Barcelona FC accordingly shall be awarded three (3) points and three (3) goals.
  3. Further, in accordance with Article 33(5) (a) of the Regulations, Real Tarkwa United FC shall lose three (3) points from the accumulated points.
  4. Also, as per Article 33(5) (b) of the Regulations, Real Tarkwa United FC shall pay a fine of One Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHȼ1000.00), 50% of which shall go to Tarkwa Barcelona FC. For the avoidance of doubt the fine shall be paid within Fourteen (14) days of receipt of this ruling as provided for by the Western Regional Football Association’s Administration Instructions governing the conduct of the Second Division League.

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

CONSTANTINE K. M. KUDZEDZI, ESQ
(CHAIRMAN)