Another match fixing scandal looms

Parmalat Pure Joy Football Club, Greater Accra Division Two league campaigners have called on the Regional Football Association (RFA) to investigate circumstances surrounding the outcome of the Middle League game between Shelter Force and Great Stars.

Nicholas Nii Addo, Vice Chairman of Pure Joy FC alleged at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday that Shelter Force FC and Great Stars engaged in a match of convenience in order to grant the former an undue advantage over Pure Joy FC.

Shelter Force thrashed Great Stars 7-1 to qualify for the National Division One League ahead of Pure Joy FC who also spanked Inter Allies 5-0.

According to Nii Addo, Shelter Force and Great Stars connived to delay the start of the game which was contrary to the regulations guiding the competition which stipulates that all matches must commence at 3:00 pm.

Nii Addo added that the two clubs ensured the late start of the games despite the directive by the RFA that the final matches of the Middle League must be played simultaneously, and that the two clubs acted contrary to the directives.

The Vice Chairman explained that by the rules of the competition, any match which delays for 45 minutes must be cancelled but the game between Shelter Force and Great Stars started at 3:50 p.m, hence it gives enough reason for the RFA to declare the match null and void.

Nii Addo said the two clubs have breached article 34 (1i) of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) with impunity and called on the RFA to exercise the appropriate sanction.

Mr Isaac Tetteh, President of Pure Joy FC stated that his outfit was bent on pursuing the case to its logical conclusion to ensure fairness.

“Our lawyers are ready and standing bye to move to the law courts if justice is not attained in this case.

“This is not about Pure Joy but it is about ensuring justice and getting rid of corruption in Ghana football”.

Mohamed Alhassan, Public Relations Officer of the Club said the latter stages of the game between Shelter Force and Great Stars gives enough reasons to believe that the said game was a match of convenience.

“We find it difficult to believe that few minutes after our game, Shelter FC scored four goals in four minutes to qualify on superior goals aggregate.” He stated

The PRO reiterated that if the RFA and GFA fails to conduct thorough investigations into the matter, his Club will take it to the corridors of the international bodies such as the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Federation (FIFA) for redress.

Alhassan said Pure Joy will forward all documentary evidence to the RFA/GFA to aid them in their investigations.

He was confident that the RFA and GFA will rule in their favour since they have concrete evidence to support their claim.