CAS annuls sanctions imposed on players involved in Inter Allies-AshGold match-fixing scandal
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has overturned sanctions imposed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on the players involved in the allegedmatch-fixing game between Inter Allies and AshantiGold SC.
The GFA, through its Disciplinary Committee, concluded that up to 21 players were guilty of match manipulation in the match day 34 Ghana Premier League game two seasons ago.
Ashantigold’s Stephen Owusu Banahene, Dacosta Ampem, Frank Akoto, Agyemang Isaac Opoku, Amos Kofi Nkrumah, Eric Esso, Moses Kwame, and Solomon Afriyie receiving two-year bans for their involvement. Defenders Samed Mohammed and Seth Osei were given 30-month bans for their roles in fixing the game. Additionally, Emmanuel Owusu, Mohammed Bailou, Amos Addai, and Paul De Vries Asare were handed 48-month bans for failing to appear before the Committee despite being invited.
After receiving the DC’s verdict on its members, the Professional Football Association of Ghana (PFAG) appealed to CAS through the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) on behalf of the 21 players, to overturn the decision.
While the substanive case was heard, CAS stayed the enforcement of the DC ruling, allowing the players to be registered to play for their respective clubs.
However, after interrogating the evidence adduced against the players, CAS determined that there was no sufficient basis to sanction the players and therefore annulled all sanctions imposed on the players.
CAS has also awarded a cost of $7,357 against the GFA, with each player expected to receive $345.77 in compensation.
