Sports News of Thursday, 19 March 2020

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Another GPL club to suffer points deduction after Medeama

Wonders are set to lose six points Wonders are set to lose six points

The Ghana Football Association has been thrown into further chaos after a whistleblower revealed again on Thursday that Techiman Eleven Wonders fielded an unqualified player during a league match against Legon Cities last month.

It has emerged that forward Abdul Megeese Zakaria was ineligible to feature for the Techiman-based side during their 1-1 stalemate in Accra on February 29, 2020.

Top Ghanaian journalist Kwaku 'Maestro' Obeng revealed on local radio station Asempa FM on Thursday morning that the club should suffer sanctions for fielding the unqualified player.

Megeese Zakaria picked his first caution against Ashantigold on Match Day-3, picked his second caution against Aduana Stars at home on Match Day-4 and his third caution against West African Football Academy on Match-Day 11.

The player was rested in the side's FA Cup tie against Kenyasi New Dreams and fielded against Legon Cities last month - a clear contravention of the new regulations of the association.

By the new regulation of the federation, the GFA is bound by it's own laws to implement the report of a whistleblower which means it must act on the report to deduct Techiman Eleven Wonders SIX POINTS for fielding an unqualified player.

This is a massive test case for the Ghana FA after the association docked league leaders Medeama six pointsfor the same offence in a protest filed by Great Olympics.

Hearts of Oak have also being caught in the same web after fielding an unqualified Emmanuel Nettey during a league match against Elmina Sharks.

The decision to award boardroom points to Great Olympics has ruffed feathers and sparked a wave of criticism, opening the FA up for widespread attacks.

It's now emerging several clubs are unaware of the law they claim was 'smuggled' in as the amended regulation was done by the Executive Council, setting the tone for long legal battles to further derail the league that has been halted by CoronaVirus.

While Medeama has rejected the decision to dock of their points, the Ghana FA appears to have little choice to act against the former Africa champions for a similar infraction of the law. Failure to do so will show that favouritism is the order of the day.

This situation is likely to throw the season into further chaos with a litany of legal battles looming.

While Article 23(5) A & 25 (1) of the GFA statutes accords congress with the supreme and legislative authority and power, it appears Article 39(K) of the amended statutes has vested parallel legislative authority on the Executive Council - a situation which has divided opinions in the West African nation.

The new article appears to be a clear departure and a practice in contradiction to the status quo ante.

Critics says the new stipulation appears to elevate the Executive Council to the level of congress for no apparent reason as many football aficionados have vowed to ensure the authority of congress is jealously guarded.