Ashantigold deny match-fixing allegations in 7-0 thrashing of Inter Allies
Obuasi-based club, Ashantigold, have denied any involvement in a match-fixing scandal that has rocked their 7-0 demolishing of Inter Allies on the final day of the Ghana Premier League season.
The miners scored five goals before Inter Allies defender Hashim Musah netted two own goals to end the encounter.
Advertisement
However, two days after scoring two own goals, the Inter Allies centre-back claimed his goals were aimed at destroying the work of a betting syndicate.
The allegations have led to the Ghana Football Association opening investigations into the circumstance that led to the supposed fixed match at the Len Clay Stadium.
But in a statement issued on the club’s official Twitter page, the former league champions denied widespread reports suggesting they engaged Inter Allies in a match of convenience.
“We take notice of the video circulating in relation to our game against Inter Allies and wish to state unequivocally dissociate ourselves from any wrongdoing.
“Ashantigold played competitively in the entire duration of the game, with our players scoring five great goals through hard work and team effort in the 15th, 26th, 42nd, 49th and 77th respectively,” parts of the statement read.
“We have no idea as to why the opponents’ player scored two own goals after we were up by five goals with 13 minutes to end the game.
“We demonstrated throughout the game we were determined to play to the best of our abilities, and not to play any predetermined score line as is been circulated.
“We therefore vehemently dissociate ourselves from any match fixing and wish to urge all persons and organizations wrongfully accusing the club of match-fixing to desist from that, as we won't hesitate to take legal action against such parties.
“As a renowned sports brand, we have always believed in fair play and would continue to act in the good interest of the game,” it continued.
Young Ashantigold striker Isaac Opoku Agyemang netted a hat-trick in the 16th, 44th and 77th minutes of the match with skipper Amos Addai netting a brace in the 26th and 50th minutes respectively.