In a surprising revelation, Inter Allies FC’s Technical Director, Willie Klutse, has openly acknowledged that the club’s players were involved in the infamous match-fixing scandal that marred the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League season. This admission comes years after the scandal, which led to the club's relegation to Division Two by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in July 2021.
The controversy stemmed from Inter Allies’ final league game against AshantiGold SC, a match widely believed to have been manipulated for betting purposes. Speaking on Prime Take with Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, Klutse explained that the internal findings were disheartening. He emphasized that it was the players themselves who confessed to fixing the match, revealing that certain members of the team, along with the club’s manager, were involved in betting.
“It was disappointing to discover that our players gambled with their future,” Klutse said, confirming that the players admitted their involvement, even naming those who took part. The scandal caused significant embarrassment to the club, leading to swift action by the management. As a result, the entire team was dismissed, and the club reported the incident to the Nima Police Station, which subsequently handed the case over to the GFA.
Despite their cooperation, Klutse expressed frustration over the GFA’s decision to punish the club. He claimed that the FA’s investigation was poorly handled, stating that Inter Allies did everything possible to assist the inquiry. “We gave them the lead, the evidence, but the GFA still ruled against us,” he lamented. He also criticized the GFA’s view that the club was responsible for the players' actions, comparing the situation to a case where a criminal is punished but their family is not held accountable.
Klutse further revealed that the management had attempted to incentivize the players to perform, offering GHC 1,000 for each match won in their battle against relegation. However, the lure of betting far outweighed the incentives offered by the club, ultimately leading to their downfall.
Inter Allies' painful experience serves as a stark reminder of the detrimental effects of match-fixing in Ghanaian football. Despite their efforts to curb the issue, the club’s reputation was irreparably damaged, leading to harsh consequences that have left them to reflect on their role in the scandal.
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