The centre-back had his phone seized and investigations revealed he had held conversations with people alleged to be betting syndicates
Berekum Chelsea defender Stephen Anokye Badu could face a one-year ban if found guilty of his involvement in betting and manipulation of football results, according to AshesGyamera.com’s sources.
The 26-year-old, who was one-time banned by CAF for failing a doping test while playing for Aduana Stars in the Caf Confederation Cup, has gotten himself in another problem.
Badu, together with Berekum Chelsea young goalkeeper D. Malike who made his Premier League debut against Great Olympics last week, were invited by the Integrity officials after the game for investigations.
The duo’s phones were seized in the presence of the club’s management member Oduro Sarfo and upon further scrutinization it was revealed that they had information than can be linked with betting and match fixing.
Malike, in particular, had a betting application on his mobile phone and upon interrogations he insisted that he doesn’t bet but rather uses the app to check scorelines across the world. There were no evidence of match fixing or betting on his phone.
However, Badu had some conversations on his mobile phone’s WhatsApp which suggested that he allegedly held conversations with people believed to be betting agents.
Meanwhile, Premier League referee Isaac Osei has also been caught allegedly having betting slips indicating bets staked on football matches prior to Ghana Premier League games.
Upon further interrogations, Osei is reported to have revealed that he is not the only Ghanaian referee who is involved in football betting and further added that even Ghanaian football administrators are also part.
It will be recalled that referee Osei was suspended for the rest of the season three weeks ago after he was found guilty of failing to award Legon Cities an obvious penalty against Berekum Chelsea.
“The GFA Match Review Panel has been suspended Referee Isaac Osei for erring in the decision not to award a penalty in favour of Legon Cities FC in their Ghana Premier League Matchweek 24 Berekum Chelsea FC,” a GFA statement read.
Below are decision announced by the Match review panel:
BEREKUM CHELSEA VS. LEGON CITIES (MATCH DAY 24)
SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT
In the 37th minute of play, the Referee awarded a penalty to Berekum Chelsea and an alleged foul by Legon Cities player number 5 on Berekum Chelsea player number 53.
The Referee denied Legon Cities a penalty for a foul committed by Berekum Chelsea’s goalkeeper in the 42nd minute.
The goalkeeper was seen dragging the Legon Cities player down by grabbing him with both hands around the neck.
OBSERVATIONS, FINDINGS AND GROUNDS OF THE DECISION
In the 37th minute of the match, a defender of Legon Cities fouled an attacker of Berekum Chelsea. The referee awarded a penalty to Berekum Chelsea.
Per the video watched the angle of foul was not clear. For the benefit of doubt the referee was in a better position to have seen the foul.
In the 42nd minute incident, the goalkeeper of Berekum Chelsea was clearly seen pulling down Legon Cities player number 21 in the penalty area. This was a clear incident of foul which the referee ignored. Thus, an obvious penalty was ignored.
The referee was invited to explain his decisions. He explained why he gave the first penalty but was quick to accept that he erred completely for not awarding penalty to Legon Cities in the second incident.
Referee Isaac Osei’s decision changed the outcome of the match. He is therefore suspended for the rest of the season. This includes all matches organized by GFA.