The GFA Appeals Committee has upheld the appeal filed by Asante Kotoko which sought to overturn the decision of the Disciplinary Committee dated 1st September, 2015.
Asante Kotoko appealed against the decision of the Disciplinary Committee which ruled that the Elite Clubs Competition matches were not official matches and therefore the player could not have served his suspension by sitting out in the Kotoko vs. Dunkwa United match.
The player was therefore adjudged to be unqualified when he featured for Hearts on the 2nd August, 2015, after he had featured for Kotoko in three previous matches upon his 3rd caution.
As a result, Kotoko suffered a forfeiture of the said match by deduction of six points from their total points and Hearts were awarded 3 goals and 3 points in accordance with article 34 (2) of the General Regulations of the FA. A fine of GH¢5, 000.00 was also imposed on Kotoko.
The appeals committee decided that, in the circumstances, the Elite Clubs Cup Competition match played between Kotoko and Dunkwa United was an official match. Obed Owusu having sat out in that particular match has therefore satisfied article 39 (5) (a) (v) of the General Regulations of the FA. The player therefore, having served his automatic suspension in the said match became eligible or qualified when he featured for Kotoko in the subsequent matches, being Kotoko vs. Berekum Chelsea, WAFA vs. Kotoko, Kotoko vs. Ashgold and Hearts vs. Kotoko.
The appeals committee therefore hereby upheld the appeal filed by Kotoko and overturn the decision of the Disciplinary Committee dated 1st September, 2015. The results of the match in question stand undisturbed. The six points deducted from the accumulated points of Kotoko is hereby restored and Hearts remains the loser of the said match. The GH¢5, 000.00 fine awarded against Kotoko is also vacated.
This decision puts Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the second position, pushing Accra Hearts of Oak to the 13th position.
