The country’s football governing body’s chief has admitted that the verdict on the alleged match fixing between two Premier League clubs have delayed but insists it will be out in no time
Ghana FA general secretary Prosper Harrison Addo has revealed that the verdict on the alleged match fixing scandal between Premier League side Ashanti Gold and now Division One League side Inter Allies will be out very soon.
Despite Ghanaians showing their displeasure on the delay of the final verdict, Addo has insisted that match fixing cases are quite different from other cases and they require tactfulness in their handling.
“The wheels of justice grind slowly. Match-fixing cases are not like other cases. For match manipulation, match-fixing, and those things you have to take your time,” Addo said in an interview with Angel FM.
“First of all, looking at our process the first part of what we did when the issue came was investigation so it took a very long time because not only the two clubs. They always mention only Ashantigold and Inter Allies but all the players and the officials involved in that match were all charged.
“They were all given opportunities to speak out or write their statements during the investigation time before the charging.
“It took time before they were charged after the prosecutors felt the investigation was alright. After they were charged they were taken to the Disciplinary Committee. The prosecutors took time to make their cases.
“The teams, players, and their lawyers were questioned and passed through cross-examination and then the teams opened their defense. It went on for a long time.
“Right now we are done. The adjudicating body which is the Disciplinary Committee will have a meeting and review what both sides said. All these plyers, twenty from each side, officials, and the club itself.
“Don’t forget that the president of AshantiGold and the CEO were charged. They have reviewed their statements before the decision. We are at the decision stage.
“They are done but it is left with the final decision. The decision can come out any moment from now,” Addo added.
AshaGyamera.com can report that Berekum Chelsea defender Stephen Anokye Badu has been caught also exchanging vital information with an alleged match fixing agent prior to a Premier League game.
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 that 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.
AshesGyamera understands that Anokye could face a one-year ban while referee Osei could face at least five-year ban if found guilty of the offences they have been charged with.
