This is what could happen to AshantiGold & Inter Allies if they are found guilty of match-fixing

AshantiGold and Inter Allies are facing separate bans of five years and a fine of GHS100,000 if they are found guilty of match-fixing offences by the Ghana FA Disciplinary Committee.

The Ghana Football Association has officially charged Allies and AshantiGold for their much-talked-about July 17 clash at the Len Clay Stadium which ended 7-0 in favour of the Miners.

Allies and AshantiGold have been charged under Article 34(5)(a), Article 34(6)(d) of the GFA Premier League Regulations, 2019, Article 18(1) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, 2019.

A Ghana FA statement reads: “After investigations into the acts of misconduct, the GFA Prosecutor charged Ashantigold SC on three counts of misconduct for breaching Article 34(5)(a), Article 34(6)(d) of the GFA Premier League Regulations, 2019, Article 18(1) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, 2019. Inter Allies FC have also been charged on two counts of misconduct for breaching Article 34(5)(a) and Article 34(6)(d) of the GFA Premier League Regulations, 2019. Both Clubs are expected to submit their Statements of Defence to the charges on or before Wednesday, September 22 after which the GFA Disciplinary Committee will adjudicate their cases respectively. Some Players and Officials of both Clubs have also been charged.”

Article 34(5)(a) states that: “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 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.” While Article 34(6)(d) also states that: “Commit any offensive act not provided for above or make any offensive statement either verbally or in writing or is responsible for any conduct or any matter which is in the opinion of the Association, ungentlemanly, insulting or improper behaviour or likely to bring the game into disrepute.”

Meanwhile Article 18(1) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, 2019 is more definitive on the punishments that could be meted out to the two clubs if they are found guilty.

“Anyone who directly or indirectly, by an act or an 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 with a minimum five-year ban on taking part in any football-related activity as well as a fine of at least One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc100,000.000). In serious cases, a longer ban period, including a potential lifetime ban on taking part in any football-related activity, shall be imposed.”

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