The Ashanti Gold chiefs have been handed a ten-year ban each following their involvement in match fixing scandal last season
Ashanti Gold president Kwaku Frimpong and chief executive officer Emmanuel Frimpong has been banned ten years each from football by Ghana FA following their involvement in a match fixing scandal.
Last season, Ashanti Gold thrashed Inter Allies 7-0 with defender Hasmin Musa scoring two own goals in the process.
After the game, Musa revealed that he scored the own goals to destroy a correct scoreline that was arranged ahead of kick off.
Although, Kwaku Frimpong and his son Emmanuel Frimpong initially rejected accusations of their involvement in the match fixing scandal, several evidences have been retrieved including phone calls and exchange of money.
Dr. Kwaku Frimpong, President of Ashantigold SC was charged for breaching Article 27(1)(2) of the GFA Code of Ethics 2019; Article 18(1) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, 2019, and Article 34(5)(a)(b) of the GFA Premier League Regulations 2019.
Emmanuel Frimpong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ashantigold SC was
charged for breaching Article 27(1)(2) of the GFA Code of Ethics 2019; Article 18(1) of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019 and Article 34(5)(a)(b) of the GFA Premier League Regulations 2019.
Article 34(5)(a) Premier League Regulations, 2019 states:
“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”.
Article 34(5)(b) Premier League Regulations,2019, states:
“for the avoidance of doubt it shall be a misconduct for any club, club official or a player or any participant of a match to offer or to attempt to offer either directly or indirectly any consideration whatsoever to another club, or a player or to any match official, with a view to
influencing the results of any match for any club to play a match in a
non competitive spirit for the purpose of this rule the determination of
the competitiveness or otherwise of a match shall be done by the GFA
Disciplinary Committee or Ethics Committee”.
Article 18(1) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, 2019 states:
“anyone who directly or indirectly by an act or omission unlawfully
influences or manipulates the course, results or any other aspect of a
match or competition or conspires or attempts to do so by any means
shall be sanctioned with a minimum 5 year ban on taking part in any
football related activity as well as a fine of at least ghc100,000. In
serious cases a longer ban period, including a potential lifetime ban on
taking part in any football related activity shall be imposed”.
Article 27(1) of the GFA Code of Ethics, 2019 states:
“Persons bound by this Code shall not accept, give, offer, promise,
receive, request or solicit any personal or undue pecuniary or other
advantage in order to obtain or retain business or any other improper
advantage to or from anyone within or outside GFA. Such acts are
prohibited regardless of whether carried out directly or indirectly through, or in conjunction with, third parties. In particular, persons bound by this Code shall not accept, give, offer, promise, receive, request or solicit any personal or undue pecuniary or other advantage for the execution or omission of an act that is related to their official activities and is contrary to their duties or falls within their discretion”.
Article 27(2) of the GFA Code of Ethics, 2019 states:
“persons bound by this code shall refrain from any activity or behavior that might give rise to the appearance or suspicion of a breach of this article”
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Kwaku Frimpong is speaking to his lawyers and advisers after the ruling and could hit back in a grand style.
It is reported that he could mention other top officials who are hugely involved in match fixing that he believes Ghana FA are only trying to protect.