Match-fixing scandal: “This is not the right time to announce the verdict” – Coach J.E Sarpong explains why

Legendary Ghanaian coach Joseph Emmanuel Sarpong says the Ghana Football Association’s Disciplinary Committee should have waited for the season to end before the verdict.

AshGold and Inter Allies were demoted on Monday, May 16, 2022, following a decision from the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee due to their match-fixing scandal in 2021.

On 17th July 2021, Ashantigold SC hosted the former GPL side Inter Allies FC in the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League Matchday 34 game at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium.

According to the GFA, the match was fixed to fulfill a correct score of 5 goals to 1 in favor of Ashantigold SC.

The match eventually ended in 7 goals to 0 against Inter Allies FC.

After eight months the Ghanaian football governing body has demoted the two clubs to participate in Division 2 league with a ban slapped on the club owners and some players involved.

The decision saw Kumasi Asante Kotoko player, Richmond Lamptey who formerly played for Inter Allies banned for 30-months from football including other players.

The outspoken manager insists this is not the right time to slap the clubs and the players with a ban but they should have waited for the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

“The issue happened last season but people should know that investigation can take about five years before the verdict.

“As for investigations you have to go deep and disclose the truth but I suggest they should have ended the league before the decision.

“It will kill their desire to play their subsequent games and it can even affect some of the games.

The former Black Meteors, Olympics, and Asante Kotoko tactician shared his opinion on Original Tv’s Sports Punch Show with Agorohene Nana Yaw Opoku.