CAS vs Ghana’s FA: “I’m very elated about the ruling by CAS”– EX-AshantiGold Player Frank Akoto responds to verdict

Two-years ago, the Ghana Football Association(GFA) Disciplinary Committee punished Ghanaian players who supposedly engaged in match-fixing scandal regards to AshantiGold SC home game against Inter Allies FC in the 2021-22 league season.

The said Premier league game ended 7-0 in favour of the home team, having captain of Inter Allies FC Hashmin Musah climbing off the bench to score an own goal.

In total, the Disciplinary Committee of GFA turned the fortunes of 21-players, ruling that there were involved in the alleged match-fixing between Inter Allies and AshantiGold SC. Several sanctions were imposed on the players including two and half year sanctions.

Others received 18-months whiles some got slapped with 20-months.

However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has given life to these players who were sanctioned.

On Thursday, July 27 2023 the Court of Arbitration for Sport released verdict over the case of the Ghana Football Association and the players as was presented by Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG). CAS has annulled all sanctions imposed on players involved in alleged match-fixing between Inter Allies and AshantiGold SC.

The CAS ruling overturns all punishments imposed by the Ghana FA, including a ban on the said players.

Speaking in an interview, upon hearing the news former Ashanti Gold SC player Frank Akoto disclosed that he is relieved and elated with the news of CAS.

“The verdict was very painful because we woke up well prepared to go play our match against Inter Allies, only for us to get to the field for our opponents to score our own goal because the match was manipulated without our knowledge.

“But the ruling affected us because we also played the match. This destroyed our careers. Today is the happiest day of my life, I’m very elated about the ruling by CAS,” Frank said in an interview with HappyFM.

In the statement issued by CAS, the Ghana Football Association has been ordered to pay 6,300 Swiss Francs to the players to be distributed thus 300 Swiss Francs each for their ‘legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with these arbitration proceedings.

GFA will also pay 3,000 Swiss Francs to Richmond Lamptey of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club as contribution towards his legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with these arbitration proceedings.

The FA meanwhile, has acknowledged receipts of CAS’s verdict stating that the Association would duly oblige.

Story Kolog Bonaventure