At the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on July 17, 2021, Ashantigold SC faced Inter Allies FC in the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League Matchday 34 encounter. Following the match, there were various reports in the local and international football circles that the match had been manipulated to give Ashantigold SC a 5-1 victory. Inter Allies FC finally won the match 7 goals to 0 in the end.
A video clip from the match went viral on social media, showing an Inter Allies FC player scoring two own goals and a poor mood among the players on the field of play.Sportradar, a Swiss-based international company, reported that there was strong pre-match betting and telltale signs of fraud on the said match. Sportradar is a unique service that identifies betting related manipulation in sports globally for a number of leagues through its vast amounts of data.
The GFA Compliance & Integrity Office, in collaboration with the GFA Prosecutors, investigated the situation and, in accordance with Article 34(5) of the GFA Premier League Regulations, filed accusations against the two clubs and referred Ashantigold SC to the Disciplinary Committee.
Three counts were filed against Ashantigold SC:
1.The Club was charged with a violation of Article 34(5)(a) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations (2019) for instigating, commanding, and counseling its players to play a set match or match that was not in their best interests.2.The Club was accused with violating GFA Disciplinary Code Article 18(1). (2019). That the President and Chief Executive Officer made many calls to one Emmanuel Nii Amoah to aid the Club in manipulating the match against Inter Allies FC to obtain their desired results, an act that has tarnished the game of football.
3.The Club was charged with violating GFA Premier League Regulations Article 34(6)(d) (2019). That both teams worked together with a single goal in mind to control the match in order to obtain a desired result, an act that tarnished the sport of football.
SANCTIONS 1. To protect football's sporting integrity in Ghana. The GFA Disciplinary Code, Articles 18(1) and (2)a. That, in accordance with Article 6(3)(h) of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019, Ashantigold SC will be demoted to Division Two League at the end of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season.
b. In accordance with Article 6(1)(c) and Article 6(4) of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019, Ashantigold SC be fined GHc100,000.00.
2. a. According to Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019, the President of Ashantigold SC, Dr. Kwaku Frimpong, is prohibited from participating in any football-related activity for a period of 120 months.
b. In accordance with Article 34.5(d)(ii) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019, a fine of one hundred thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc100,000) is imposed on Dr. Kwaku Frimpong.3. a. According to Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019, the Chief Executive Officer of Ashantigold SC, Emmanuel Frimpong, is barred from participating in any football-related activity for a period of 96 months.
b. That the Chief Executive Officer of Ashantigold SC, Emmanuel Frimpong, be fined Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc50,000) in accordance with Article 34.5(d)(ii) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019.
4. In accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019, the Head Coach of Ashantigold SC, Thomas Duah, is barred from participating in any football-related activity for a period of 24 months.
5. That Aidoo Gee Ahmed, the Team Manager of Ashantigold SC, is prohibited from taking any photographs.6. In accordance with 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019, the underlisted players of Ashantigold SC are each banned for 24 months.
In accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019, Samed Mohammed, player number 32 of Ashantigold SC, is therefore banned for 30 months.
8. In accordance with Article 34.5(d)(i) of the Ghana Premier League Regulations 2019, Seth Osei, Player Number 33 of Ashantigold SC, is hereby banned for a period of 30 months.
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