Scandalous Middle League Results - SWAG Calls For Harsh Sanctions

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has slammed the outcome of the Zone Three Middle League matches played in Sekondi and Cape Coast last Wednesday.

A release signed by Richard Avornyotse, Secretary of the association said “we are compelled to beat the drums very hard in condemnation of the incredible scorelines recorded yesterday in the Zone Three Middle League matches played at Sekondi and Cape Coast.

“For Great Mariners to annihilate Tudu Mighty Jets 29-0 and Nania F/C to wallop Okwawu United 31-0 in national league matches in the 21st century is, to say the least, very appalling”.

“The uncompetitive spirit in which the two matches were played is an insult to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Division One League Board (DOLB) and the global football family”.

The statement said the results were pointers to match fixing and called on all stakeholders and the entire football fraternity to join in condemning the “stinking canker” that has resurfaced in the Ghanaian game.

It said SWAG was amazed that the Italian example of the previous season, where giants like AC Milan and Juventus suffered grave consequences for arranging match results, culminating in Juventus' relegation to Serie B could not deter the four clubs involved in “the shame of March 28” from playing matches of conveniences.

“It is rather sad that the management of the four teams consists of renowned football managers who have been in the game for a long time and know the rules very well with their attendant penalties.

We wish to reiterate that the rules of the game are universal and that what constitutes a gross violation of the statutes and conventions in Europe has the same semblance in Africa and Ghana.”

The association underscored the need to sanction the quartet in order to cleanse the condensed filth that last Wednesday's results smeared on the integrity and repute of Ghana football.

“It will only be prudent to sanction the erring clubs with the gravest of options available. Under the circumstances, relegation of the four clubs will be the only means to save our professional leagues and make them wholesome again”.

SWAG called for prompt action on “the shame of March 28.”