FootyDream

Aduana Stars Coach, Felix Aboagye has expressed disappointment at the GFA Disciplinary Committee for the 2-year ban handed him for match manipulation, and has demanded a reversal of the sanction, which he insists is unfair and taints his hard won reputation.

The former Inter Allies Coach was banned from all football-related activities for a period of 24 months in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations, which prescribes a ban, either indefinitely or for a specific period, whenever the GFA or its Disciplinary Committee is satisfied that a fixed match or a match of convenience has taken place between two clubs.

However, the ex-Black Stars striker claims he was informed by the Disciplinary Committee that he would be acquitted following an interrogation at the GFA Headquarters, hence the decision to allow his lawyers appeal the ban.

“My lawyers will appeal the ban. I don’t know anything about match manipulation. I only worked for Inter Allies for three months to save them from relegation so I don’t know why I have been banned. The Disciplinary Committee told me I have been acquitted after the investigation so I’m surprised that I have been implicated in the verdict,” Coach Aboagye told Accra based Happy FM.

“I haven’t fixed any match so I am very disappointed in the GFA and the Disciplinary Committee. Why are they destroying the name of a legend who has played for the Black Stars? Did I collect anyone’s money? I’m in Dormaa now and I have called Inter Allies. They say they’re also going to appeal,” he added.

The ex-Elmina Sharks and Liberty Professionals trainer was on the bench for Inter Allies during last season’s controversial Ghana Premier League match-day 34 fixture against AshantiGold, which ended 7-0 and led to investigations into match fixing.

AshantiGold SC Shareholder, Kenneth Boakye Acheampong has dropped a hint that he may return to run the Obuasi based club after his partner Dr. Kwaku Frimpong was banned from professional football, but insists his immediate focus is to appeal the Aboakese lads’ demotion to Division Two League.

AshGold would be relegated to the Division Two League and fined the Obuasi based club GHC 100,000 at the end of the season, following a GFA Disciplinary Committee ruling based on evidence of match-fixing during their controversial 7-0 win over Inter Allies in last season’s Ghana Premier League match-day 34 fixture in July, 2021.

The corporate image of AshantiGold SC has been tainted by Club President Dr. Frimpong and his son, the CEO, Emmanuel Frimpong, who masterminded the match manipulation plot and were banned for 10 years and 8 years respectively.

However, Mr. Boakye Acheampong, who is the Owner and Bankroller of Division One League side Achiken FC, claims he is not concerned about his partner’s debacle but is only focused on how AshantiGold SC’s sanction can be mitigated through a possible appeal.

“I never joined AshGold as an investor for business purposes but my father is an Adansi man so I came to run the club as a son of AshantiGold. I am a supporter of the club and I’d always love what I love,” Mr. Boakye Acheampong told Accra based Happy FM.

“I’m not in town now but I may have to return to Obuasi within the next two days to see how we can appeal the ban and have the GFA reduce the sanction on AshGold as a club. Dr. Frimpong’s ban doesn’t really matter to me but what concerns me is AshGold’s demotion to Division Two,” he added.

The DC ruling also affected AshGold Head Coach Thomas Duah, who has been banned from all football-related activities for a period of 2 years along with Team Manager Aidoo Gee Ahmed and some players including Seth Osei and Eric Esso, who were banned for 24 months and 30 months respectively.

The GFA Disciplinary Committee has handed a 2-and-half year ban to Asante Kotoko midfielder Richmond Lamptey for his role in last season’s fixed match against AshantiGold, while the 25-year-old was an Inter Allies player.

The decision was stated in a ruling published on the GFA website that spelt out the demotion of Inter Allies to the Division Two League with a fine of GHC 100,000. The relegation of Inter Allies takes effect from the 2022/23 league season.

Coach Felix Aboagye and Team Manager Reuben Adjetey have both been banned from all football-related activities for 2 years while Inter Allies player Fard Ibrahim was banned for 3 years for his role in the fixed match and also placing bets on multiple matches and competitions on his phone.

Hashmin Musah, who scored two own goals against AshantiGold in the fixed match, was banned for 2 years but the sanction was reduced to 6 months for his role in unravelling the match manipulation plot.

Nine Inter Allies players have been handed 2-year bans including; Goalkeeper Danso Wiredu Mensah, Alex Aso, Abdul Kadir Mohammed, Isah Ali, Andy Opke and Mohammed Zakari. The rest are Richard Acquaah, Shaibu Taufiq, Felix Abuska and Goalkeeper’s Trainer Joseph Boye Markwei.

According to the GFA Disciplinary Committee, the decisions, which will take effect from the 2022/23 league season, will be communicated to FIFA to be given international application since a number of players are now playing in clubs outside Ghana.

The Ghana FA Disciplinary Committee has banned AshantiGold SC President, Dr. Kwaku Frimpong from all football-related activities for a period of 10 years (120 months) and handed a fine of GHC 100,000 for his role in fixing last season’s Ghana Premier League match-day 34 fixture against Inter Allies in July, 2021.

The decision was contained in a ruling published on the GFA website that spelt out the demotion of AshantiGold SC to the Division Two League with a fine of GHC 100,000. The relegation of AshGold takes effect from the 2022/23 league season.

In a bid to protect the integrity of Ghana football, the Disciplinary Committee handed out further sanctions against eight AshantiGold SC players and some officials of the Aboakese club for playing a match of convenience.

The Chief Executive Officer of AshGold, Emmanuel Frimpong has also been handed an 8-year (96 months) ban from all football-related activities and a fine of GHC 50,000.

AshGold Head Coach Thomas Duah has also been banned from all football-related activities for a period of 2 years (24 months) along with Team Manager Aidoo Gee Ahmed.

Eight AshGold players were handed 2 year (24 months) bans namely; Stephen Owusu Banahene, Ampem Dacosta, Frank Akoto and Isaac Opoku Agyemang. The rest are Amos Kofi Nkrumah, Eric Esso, Moses Kwame and Solomon Afriyie.

Other AshGold players banned for a period of 2-and-a-half years (30 months) are Samed Mohammed and Seth Osei.

Four players Emmanuel Owusu, Mohammed Bailou, Amos Addai and Paul Asare De Vries and Sporting Director Nana Kwesi Darling have been handed 4 year bans.

Hashmin Musah, a former defender of Inter Allies who was a second half substitute in that GPL match in 2021, intentionally scored two own goals as his side suffered the heavy defeat at AshantiGold.