Olympics stay demoted after losing Hearts, Bechem Utd protests
Any hope of Accra Great Olympics avoiding relegation has been effectively dashed as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Disciplinary Committee has dismissed the club’s protests against Hearts of Oak and Bechem United in respect of their Premier League matches.
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Olympics petitioned GFA Disciplinary Committee over Hearts failure to fully pay a fine of GH¢10,000 to the association before their match day 25 Ghana Premier League match at the Accra Sports Stadium in contravention of Articles 39(8)(b) and 39(8)(d) of the General Regulations of the GFA.
After going through the defences of Hearts, the Disciplinary Committee ruled in the Phobians favour stating that the GFA indeed received the payment, therefore dismissing their allegations.
In the findings by the Disciplinary Committee, excerpts read “On the strength of Section 26 of NRCD 323 (supra), the GFA and its members are stopped from now questioning the payment of the fine by cheque as done by the Respondent on July 7, 2017 and declaring same invalid.
“Indeed, one has to wonder what mischief, injury or damage has been occasioned by the payment by cheque made by the Respondent on the 7th of July, 2017, to warrant the invalidation of same. None, in my considered opinion.
“In conclusion, it is my considered opinion that this Committee ought to decline the invitation by the Petitioner to descend into the arena of absurdity and in the interest of justice, dismiss the instant protest in its entirety,” some parts of the findings read.
In Bechem's case, Olympics petitioned the Disciplinary Committee to deduct six points from their opponents for allegedly failing to respect the decision of the GFA/PLB to have their Match day 30 Premier League match at the Fosu Gyeabour Park telecast live in contravention of Article 63 of the Disciplinary Code of the association.
The Disciplinary Committee in its conclusion stated that "It is very clear to this committee that for the punishment proposed by Accra Great Olympics FC to be applied against respondent, it should have already been threatened against Bechem United FC.
This Committee has considered the two decisions referred to by the petitioner and cannot find any trace of a final warning to Bechem United FC with a deadline and a threat of a six-point deduction.
" In the instant case, Accra Great Olympics FC have failed to provide proof to satisfy the six points enumerated above to justify the club’s request for Bechem United to be punished under Article 63 of the Disciplinary Code of the GFA.
However, Olympics were fined GH¢ 3000 payable to the GFA within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of this ruling with GH¢1000 hereby awarded in favour of Bechem United FC from the receipt of the payment from Accra Great Olympics FC.