Ghana FA punishes RTU for fielding unregistered players against Dreams FC in MD 28

The Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has dealt a severe blow to Real Tamale United FC (RTU FC) by imposing a fine of GHc100,000 for behaving in a way that brings the game into disrepute.

The fine is a direct result of the club’s involvement in a match-fixing scandal during their Matchday 28 game against Dreams FC at the Theatre of Dreams.

According to the GFA’s Premier League Regulations, RTU FC was found guilty of intentionally deceiving match officials by using unregistered players to impersonate officially registered players of the club. This blatant breach of the rules is considered a serious offense and has been met with severe penalties.

In its defense, RTU FC pleaded guilty to the charges and asked for leniency, citing difficult circumstances that led to their actions. The club claimed that their registered players refused to make the trip to the match, leaving them with no choice but to use unregistered players to avoid forfeiting the game. However, the GFA Disciplinary Committee did not accept this excuse and found the club guilty of misconduct.

As a result, RTU FC has been fined GHc100,000 and five officials from the club have been handed a one-year ban from all football-related activities with immediate effect. The banned officials are Iddi Manzah Alhassan, Abdul-Samed Iddrisu, Abdul-Gafaru Salifu, Tanko Jentumah, and Sylvester Yaw Apanka.

This decision sends a strong message that match-fixing and deception will not be tolerated in Ghanaian football, and those found guilty will face severe consequences.

The GFA is committed to maintaining the integrity of the game and ensuring that clubs and officials adhere to the rules and regulations.