The Disciplinary Committee (DC) of the Ghana Football Association has ruled that premier league giants Asante Kotoko shall play three home matches behind closed doors at the Baba Yara stadium and, in addition, pay a fine of GHC20,000 in relation to unsporting behavior by supporters of the Club during their Matchday 3 encounter against Berekum Chelsea.
The DC charged Asante Kotoko of failing to control their supporters when they hosted Berekum Chelsea at the Baba Yara stadium in a 0-1 defeat to the Berekum based club in relation to their premier league match day three match, and ruled that the club play its next five home matches behind closed doors and pay a fine of GHC10,000. The club upon receipt of the charge sheet, responded in a plea for mitigation of the sanction, after accepting guilt of the charges.
The FA have in effect, reduced the matches from five to three, increasing the fine from the initial GHC10,000 to GHC20,000. Below is the ruling by the DC.
“The Club’s plea for mitigation and their efforts to identify and
punish anyone found culpable in the acts that occurred at the stadium on
the said date was also considered by the Panel.
The panel which was chaired by Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee
Mr Osei Kwadwo Esq. also considered the Club’s commitment to support
efforts that would instill discipline in the league and their regret for
the actions of their supporters which clearly breaches the GFA Premier
League Regulations and Disciplinary Code.
Members of the Panel include Vice chairperson Ms Carla Olympio, David Okyere, Nurudeen Alhassan and Emmanuel Nikoi.
Below is the Disciplinary Committee’s decision on the matter:
- Asante Kotoko shall play three (3) home matches behind closed doors at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium instead of the five (5) stated by the Prosecutor.
- The monetary fine for the Club has been increased from GHc10,000.00 to GHc20,000.00 which must be paid to the GFA within 7 working days from the receipt of this decision.
- Asante Kotoko must provide evidence that it has identified and punished all who were found culpable in the events of the day within 21 days failure of which any future decision by the Disciplinary Committee will consider the Club’s inability to discipline their fans as stated in their reply to these charges
