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FIFA announces temporal increase of substitutions in football games

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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FIFA announces temporal increase of substitutions in football games

The world’s football governing body’s suggestion on players substitutions during games have been accepted by IFAB and the number has been increased

As football begins to consider resumption of competitions across the world following the COVID-19 pandemic, The International Football Association Board (The IFAB) has agreed to make a temporary amendment to the Laws of the Game based on a proposal received from FIFA seeking to protect player welfare.

For competitions which have either started or are intended to start, but are scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2020, the IFAB has approved FIFA’s proposal to introduce a temporary amendment to Law 3 – The Players, which will allow for a maximum of five substitutes to be made per team. However, to avoid disruption to the game, each team will only have three opportunities to make substitutions; substitutions may also be made at half-time.

The temporary amendment comes into force with immediate effect, and has been made as matches may be played in a condensed period in different weather conditions, both of which could have impacts on player welfare. The decision on whether to apply this temporary amendment will remain at the discretion of each individual competition organiser, while The IFAB and FIFA will determine at a later stage whether this temporary amendment would need to be extended further (e.g. for competitions due to be completed in 2021).

The amendment to Law 3 affects both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 Laws of the Game, with the latter coming into effect as from 1 June 2020.

In relation to competitions in which the video assistant referee (VAR) system is implemented, these competitions are permitted to cease its use upon restart at the discretion of each individual competition organiser. However, where VAR is used, all aspects of the Laws of the Game and, by extension, the VAR protocol will remain in place.

Law 3 – The Players – Temporary amendment

In summary:

  • Each team will be permitted to use a maximum of five substitutes.
  • To reduce disruption to the match, each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game; substitutions may also be made at half-time.
  • If both teams make a substitution at the same time, this will count as one of the three opportunities for each team.
  • Unused substitutions and opportunities are carried forward into extra time.
  • Where competition rules allow an additional substitution in extra time, teams will each have one additional substitution opportunity; substitutions may also be made before the start of extra time and at half-time in extra time.

The use of return substitutes is not an option for senior competitions.

-FIFA

Palmer slams ‘shameful’ Ghana FA for blaming reduction of Puma deal on Anas Exposè

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Palmer slams ‘shameful’ Ghana FA for blaming reduction of Puma deal on Anas Exposè

The football administrator believes it is a propaganda by the new Ghana FA spokesperson to hide the truth from Ghanaians

Tema Youth bankroller Wilfred Kwaku Osei ‘Palmer’ has vehemently denied suggestions by Ghana FA spokesperson Henry Asante Twum that sports kits manufacturing company Puma opted to reduce the sponsorship benefits they have with Ghana because of Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Number 12 exposè which took place in 2018.

According to Twum, Puma slashed 30 per cent of the benefits Ghana used to receive when signing a new deal since top members of the association including Kwesi Nyantakyi were caught on camera indulging in activities that were against the ethics of their offices.

However, Palmer, who was an executive council member of the erstwhile administration,  believes that is not the reality on ground.

“Anyone who blames or say the Anas exposé caused the Puma sponsorship reduction has no shame,” Palmer told Nhyira FM.

“I repeat, whoever that blames Anas expose for the reduction is shameless because that is never the case. Ghana failed to qualify to the 2018 Fifa World Cup and as a matter of fact, that was the rationale behind that decision,” he added.

Palmer also disagreed with Ghana FA on the legacy debt announced few days ago and insisted that if the association is broke, the top hierarchy must file for liquidation.
“First of all, there is nothing like Legacy debt in accounting. If Ghana FA says they are broke, then they should give registrar general department indication that they’re ready to file for what we called liquidation so that the registrar general department will appoint a liquidator to sell GFA assets to pay the debts else they should keep mute,” he said.

“The 2019 financial statement is very clear that GFA had current assets of ¢800,000 as a short-term investment. GFA has raw cash of ¢3.3m as of June 2019. GFA liabilities as a short term was ¢4.105m. So total cash of ¢15.8m. GFA had a debt of ¢4.1m how can you say you are broke.”

“If you look at the financial statement of the Ghana FA , there is no way anybody can say the GFA is broke. You can only say you are broke when you can’t afford for your day to day expenditure,” he added.

According to reports in the local media, Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku will likely brief Ghanaians on the new development soon between the association and Puma.

K.P Boateng eyes Ghana return before retirement

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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K.P Boateng eyes Ghana return before retirement

Former Barcelona and A.C Milan forward Kevin-Prince Boateng has admitted he may reconsider another opportunity to represent Ghana on I international level.

Born in Germany to a German mother and Ghanaian father, Boateng was given one of the biggest opportunities to represent the West African country and played at two World Cups – 2010 in South Africa and 2014 in Brazil.

However, Boateng who is currently on the books of Besiktas, fell out with former Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah ahead of a crucial final group game against Portugal during the 2014 World Cup as a result of delay in payment of appearance fees and  he was sacked from camp together with Sulley Ali Muntari.

He has since being snubbed until it emerged recently that new coach Charles Kwablah Akonnor spoke with him on a possible return during his tour in Europe.

“With the national team, I dont like the way it ended,” Boateng posted in Instagram.

“[This is] because they gave me so much. But you never know, maybe I can go back and play one more time again ,” he added.

At age 33, Boateng boasts of 15 caps and two goals with Ghana.

Some intriguing facts about Ghana Music Awards you must know

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Some intriguing facts about Ghana Music Awards you must know

One of the top radio personalities in Kumasi chronicles how the awards have gained prominence in the country and reveals secrets about some changes in the scheme

When the Ghana Music Awards(GMA) started in 2000, the biggest award on the night was SONG OF THE YEAR. In the first edition Aben Wo ha by Daddy Lumba won it.
Then in 2001, Tom and Jerry by Kojo Antwi on the Akuaba album also won the Song of the year
2002 – Medo(chic yi) by Lord Kenya won the biggest award on the night .

Then something significant happened in 2003
In 2003, Kojo Antwi released the Densu album which had Mmirika that was very popular. Also Kontihene had come onto the scene with Aketesia which was a sing along song that enjoyed massive airplay across Ghana.

Aketesia was a Hiplife song and during the GMA, it competed with Buk Bak’s Kluu Blofo for Hiplife Song of the year alongside Okomfour Kwadee’s Abro ne Bayie. Kluu Blofo won Hiplife Song of the year.
In the biggest award on the night, SONG OF THE YEAR, the nominees were:

Kluu Blofo – Buk Bak
Mmirika – Kojo Antwi
Aketesia – Kontihene
Abro ne Bayie – Okomfour Kwadee

Because of events on the night, everybody expected Mmirika to win but to the utter dismay of Ghanaians, Aketesia by Kontihene won the biggest award in 2003, SONG OF THE YEAR with Aketesia.

Ghanaians questioned organizers Charterhaus(CH) how Aketesia lost a smaller category of Hiplife Song to Kluu Blofo but won the biggest award competing with the same song.

It was like Michael Essien winning the FIFA footballer of the year and Charles Taylor winning the BEST Ghanaian footballer that same year
CH was thus forced for the 1st time to publish the results in the Graphic Showbiz.
Kontihene had 24.50% and Mmirika 24.30% if my memory is right.

CH explained that voting was by cutting out a piece of the Graphic Showbiz with the nominees and choosing your winners and mailing them. So since SONG OF THE YEAR was the biggest award, somebody could vote for only that category and won’t vote for other categories like HIPLIFE.

Their explanation basically was, not all the people who voted in one category like SONG OF THE YEAR voted in other categories. So that could be the reason Kluu Blofo won Hiplife Song of the year and lose out on the biggest award to Aketesia, even though it won over the latter in the Hiplife category.

One thing that must be noted is, ARTISTE OF THE YEAR wasn’t the biggest award on the night but before 2003 edition, all ARTISTE OF THE YEAR winners had also won SONG OF THE YEAR
However Kojo Antwi won AOY in 2003 even though AKETESIA by Kontihene won SONG OF THE YEAR

Then came 2004, where Charter House changed the name of the biggest award on the night from SONG OF THE YEAR to MOST POPULAR SONG OF THE YEAR.

People said this was because they felt Aketesia was popular among lots of Ghanaian so changing it would reflect the voting pattern. Charter House never confirmed this.

So in 2004 Ahomka Wo Mu by VIP won whilst they won Artist of the Year too.

2005 Konkontibaa by Obour and he also won Artist of the Year.

2006 Otoolege by Ofori Amponsah and he won Artist of the Year.

Then 2007, another brouhaha arose.

The biggest artistes in 2007 was Ofori Amponsah and Samini and on the night had won so many awards.
So when Samini won AOY, Ghanaians thought the biggest award MOST POPULAR SONG OF THE YEAR will be Odo by Samini or Odwo by Ofori Amponsah.

Asem aba!

The winner for the Ghana Music Awards 2007 MOST POPULAR SONG OF THE YEAR(biggest award on the night) is “I want to sue you my father” by King Ayisoba.
Debates raged on among the public and in the media and that was when that phrase “Did you vote?” became a part of the Ghana Music Awards

Then came another scandal that rock the awards in 2008 that had the gospel musicians threatening to boycott the awards .
The criteria for the GMA included that songs were to be released from October to November of the next year. Eg October 2007 – November 2008
So Charter House at start of the year had not put out any communique on changes.

2008 was election year in Ghana and the late President Atta Mills had used a song by an SHS teacher Lenny Akpadie as his campaign song and even a rendition had been done using his name. The song was Most High God and it was the most popular song in Ghana in 2008.

It was an open secret this was the first time a gospel song was going to win the biggest award at the Ghana Music Awards MOST POPULAR SONG OF THE YEAR. Then thunder struck. Kwaw Kese after fighting Charter House in 2007 for not giving him some awards he thought he deserved, worked hard.

He was the most sort after artiste in Ghana in 2008 and arguably the best artiste that year. Nobody came close to Kwaw Kese.
We woke up one day and Charter House said for the 2008 awards moving on, the biggest award was changing from MOST POPULAR SONG OF THE YEAR to ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

The Gospel music fraternity led by George Forrest(RIP) threatened to boycott the awards because they felt they had been shortchanged and that meant Charter House didn’t respect them
How come the organizers changed this only when a gospel song was poised to win the biggest award on the night?

The awards came on in 2008 and truly Most High God by Lenny Akpadie won MOST POPULAR SONG OF THE YEAR but the biggest award on the night went to ARTISTE OF THE YEAR Kwaw Kese
The gospel musicians rescinded their decision to boycott and went for their awards.

And since 2008, the biggest award on the night at the Ghana Music Awards has been ARTIST OF THE YEAR with Okyeame Kwame, VIP, Sarkodie, R2Bees, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Joe Mettle (Gospel artiste) and Ebony (female winning it posthumously) all winning it.

Then the biggest controversy in 2019
In 2019, Ghana’s biggest arts included self acclaimed Dancehall King Shatta Wale and his rival in the Dancehall genre Stonebwoy
So the stage was set for who will truly be declared Dancehall Artiste of the year

The hype around that was bigger than who will win Artise of the Year. The awards started and Shatta Wale won his first award which was Highlife Song of the year with My level. His song Gringo also won Dancehall song of the year

 

Then the moment of truth came, the Ghana Music Awards Dancehall Artiste of the year goes to Stonebwoy. He went on stage to receive his award and there comes a commotion on the stage. Shatta Wale and his gang had gone onto the stage and a fight ensued with Stonebwoy pulling a gun.

When tempers were calmed, the awards continued but organizers said nobody will be awarded SONG OF THE YEAR and ARTISTE OF THE YEAR because the 2 had won those awards but because of their behavior, they will not be given the awards and later banned indefinitely.

Shatta Wale after the event said he was going on the stage to congratulate his brother Stonebwoy who rather thought because of the enmity between them, his colleague was coming to hurt him. Ghanaian authorities have since been prosecuting the two in court.

The two even before the case in court is finished, have patched up their differences and are now the best of friends with their fan base no longer fighting both online and at public events.

Then comes 2020 for the awards to be held in April and the deadly coronavirus struck.

So the awards is still on hold with Ghanaians waiting for organizers to tell them their next move but until then Ebony who won the Artise of Year posthumously is still the reigning artiste of the year.

Ironically, her name was Ebony Reigns and Ghanaians still believe Ebony Reigns.

By: Austine Woode

 

Afriyie Acquah hopes to make Black Stars return after COVID-19 pandemic

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Afriyie Acquah hopes to make Black Stars return after COVID-19 pandemic

The midfielder was missing out in C.K Akonnor’s first squad as Black Stars coach but he is anticipating for a recall in future

Yeni Malatyaspor midfielder Afriyie Acquah says he is eyeing a return to Ghana national team after the Coronavirus disease pandemic.

The 28-year-old was left out of the Black Stars’ squad released by new coach Charles Kwablah Akonnor in March for 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan and Principe and Sao Tome.

However, the games were cancelled indefinitely following the COVID-19 outbreak and the former Torino star believes he still has a lot to offer for his country.

“I’m hoping to make a return back to the national team despite missing the first call up C.K Akonnor made,” Acquah told Suncity Radio.

“I believe I’m still in his plans because he had a limited or short time to name his squad. I’m aware he went around Europe to monitor some of the players so I hope he will give me the chance when the need arises,” he added.

Acquah also admitted that he has missed home and his friends in Ghana especially since football has been suspended across the globe.

“It is true that I’ve missed home. Right now we are indoors doing nothing so it makes me miss home and everything that much. For my mother, she recently visited me in Turkey so I’m cool but I’ve missed other family members and friends back in Ghana and wish to be back at home and spend quality time with them,” he said.

Acquah boasts of 36 international appearance with Ghana since making his debut in 2012 and has one goal under his belt.

Ghana’s Coronavirus disease cases hit over 3000

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Ghana’s Coronavirus disease cases hit over 3000

The deadly disease is still on the rise in the West African country despite the strict laws on social distancing and  wearing of face masks

Ghana’s Coronavirus disease cases have hit over 3,091 with Greater Accra region leading with 2,579 cases.

Ashanti and Eastern regions have 165 cases and 95 cases respectively while Bono region has the least number (1) among the regions with infected cases.

Between Sunday and Thursday morning, 922 cases have been confirmed by the country’s health service.

Also, 303 people have successfully recovered after contracting the disease including nine this week, while 18 people have been confirmed dead as a result.

However, Bono East, Ahafo and Savannah regions are yet to record a single case since the outbreak and reports suggest that authorities have intensified the measures to avoid the disease in their localities.

 

Breaking News: Ghana Premier League to be handled by independent body

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Breaking News: Ghana Premier League to be handled by independent body

The country’s top-flight will now be handled by an autonomous body for the first time in the country’s history

Ghana Football Association has revealed that Ghana Premier League will now be handled by an independent body following a meeting held be the Executive Council on May 5.

Although, the Premier League Board previously handled the affairs of the league, it wasn’t independent since they worked under the football association.

“The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has taken a decision to make the Ghana Premier League autonomous,” a GFA statement read.

“In light of this decision, the Executive Council, at its meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, has decided to form a 5-member Committee to advise the GFA on how to proceed with the implementation of the Policy.

“The Premier League Autonomy Committee will be made up of 3 persons nominated by the 18-Premier League Clubs with the other two to be added by GFA.

“This special task committee will advise the GFA on the autonomy of the league, the format, the modalities, start date and rulebook, among other parameters.”

“The Ghana Premier League is currently organized and managed by the GFA. The 18-club league competition is managed by the Premier League Committee chaired by Lepowura Alhaji M.N.D Jawula with day-to-day administrative support from the Competitions Department of the GFA.

Names of the 5-member Committee will be announced soon,” the statement added.

Football in Ghana still suspended until June 30- GFA

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Football in Ghana still suspended until June 30- GFA

The country’s football governing body has revealed that all related activities are still suspended until June 30

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) wishes to announce that the 2019/20 football season remains on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The season has, since March 16, 2020, been suspended until further notice following government’s ban on all public gatherings.

The Executive Council at its meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 decided that the status quo remains, stating that the Association is in various engagements with Government, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the GFA Medical Committee, CAF and FIFA.

The Executive Council further decided that the Association will continue to monitor the situation and would revisit it on June 30, 2020 after a careful assessment and evaluation of the issue and to take further decisions.

The GFA will consider all the factors at the time and take all the necessary decisions to ensure the safety of all participants and the smooth completion of the season.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS

Thomas Attifu emerges as leading candidate to become Ghana FA’s Referees manager

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Thomas Attifu emerges as leading candidate to become Ghana FA’s Referees manager

The one-time top notch Ghana Premier League referee is likely to be named as the Knight of the whistle’s manager ahead of the new season

Former Ghana Premier League referee Thomas Richard Atiffu is leading the race to be named as Ghana FA’s Referees Manager, AshesGyamera.com understands.

The role became vacant following the demise of former Fifa referee L.O Laryea and four candidates were interviewed last month in a bid to select one to fill the position.

Attifu will have to beat competitions from Ghana Referee’s Committee member Christine Dviga, Caf’s instructor Alex Kortey and retired Fifa referee Christian Atsatsa for the seat.

Attifu has quietly built a solid reputation for himself around the country even after officially retiring from officiating.

He is already a ‘fan favourite’ who would be very familiar with the philosophy and inner-workings of Ghana FA since he has already long been considered a front-runner to replace Laryea even before the latter’s death, as he was the one who organised referees across the country and prepared them for the Normalisation Committee tournament after Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ exposè brought all football related activities to a halt.

According to Ghana Football Association, the successful applicant will organise courses for Referees, Referee Instructors and Referee Assessors as well as prepare and produce teaching materials in line with the Laws of the Game issued by IFAB.

Also, the referees manager will report regularly on its activities to the Referees Committee either directly or through the
General Secretary and assist the Referees Committee.

Again, the person will implement decisions adopted by the referees Committee and carry out all tasks related to the logistics of refereeing.

The person will carry out all administrative duties of the refereeing department and implement programmes to develop the Referees according to the guidelines approved by
the Referees Committee.

Moreover, the manager will assist with the coordination of the GFA refereeing development program with the Head of the GFA Technical Directorate.

The person will coordinate courses and events of Refereeing, provide management direction and support for all GFA refereeing events, courses, and
competitions. He or she will prepare and manage documents and forms associated with Referee activities as well as create reports (technical and otherwise).

To add to the above, the chosen one will manage logistical requirements, provide assistance in the organization of instructors, assessors, referees to all matches and work with other departments to create videos and other productions related to refereeing.

Lastly, the manager will analyze and report on referee performances, manage referee materials like communication systems, substitution boards, etc and manage and direct functions (including providing performance feedback and follow-up)
relating to the following areas:
 Instruction
 Assessment
 Fitness
Appointments

Hearts of Oak announce signing of highly-rated Nigerian striker

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Hearts of Oak announce signing of highly-rated Nigerian striker

The Phobians have added to their attacking machinery a young striker from Nigerian ahead of the start of the second half of the season

Ghana Premier League giants Hearts Of Oak have announced the signing of Nigerian striker Kuti Ademola on Tuesday.

The highly-rated forward signed a two-year contract with the Phobians in the presenceof his agent after passing the mandatory medical ran at the club’s medical centre.

Ademola is expected to partner Joseph Esso and new striker Abednego Tetteh in Edward  Odoom’s 5-2-3 formation when the league resumes as the club hope to end their run without a league trophy since they last lifted it in 2009 season.

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