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23.04.2015 Sports News

Sporting Mirren Welfare Officer William Ofori Anum fined GH¢250, banned for two matches

23.04.2015 LISTEN
By Ghana FA

The Welfare Officer of Sporting Mirren, William Ofori Anum has been fined GH¢250 and banned for two matches by the GFA Disciplinary Committee in respect of their GN Bank Division One League match against Istanbul FC.

Mr Anum was charged for entering the field of play during the half time without permission for digging the center spot of the park with an object in breach of Articles 35(1)(a), 35(2) and 35(3) of the GFA General Regulations in respect of the match.

DEFENCE
William Ofori Anum in his Statement of Defence denied misconducting himself in anyway during play but pleaded for forgiveness if his action was considered as misconduct in the regulations.

PROCEEDINGS AND FINDINGS
The Committee examined the depositions in the Charge Sheet, the Statement of Defence and the reports of the match officials of the said match.

In his Statement of Defence, William Ofori Anum stated that during the break the players of his club complained of a heap of mud in and around the centre spot and that one of them had twisted the ankle when he stumbled on it. He also claimed that being the Welfare Officer he picked a piece of wood and went and levelled the heap in the full glare of all stakeholders during the half time believing that he was saving the limps of limps of not only our players but all others.

The Committee holds that it was the responsibility of the match referee to control the match and that it was not the place of a welfare officer to take the regulation into his own hands to effects changes to the playing grounds. The Committee holds the view that the application of a foreign material to a field of play before and during matches is outlawed in the modern game.

The Committee is of the view that the action of William Ofori Anum could cause misunderstanding that brought the game into disrepute when he wrongly arrogated to himself the powers of a match official.

The Disciplinary Committee was satisfied that William Ofori Anum's conduct amounted to a breach of the regulations and shall accordingly apply the necessary sanctions against him in this respect.

It is worth noting that Clubs are jointly liable for fines imposed on its players and officials (see Article 15(b) of the Disciplinary Code of the GFA.

DECISIONS
The Disciplinary Committee makes the following decisions:

1. That the Committee having satisfied itself that the evidence adduced before it supports the charge of misconduct with respect to Articles 35(1)(a), 35(2) and 35(3) of the GFA General Regulations against William Ofori Anum and hereby imposes:

a. a fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Ghana Cedis (GH¢250) against William Ofori Anum in accordance with Article 10 of the GFA Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(3) and 39(1)(b) of the GFA General Regulations.

b. a ban on William Ofori Anum from entering a stadium or park for two (2) matches commencing from the date of receipt of this Decision in accordance with Article 39(1)(b) of the GFA General Regulations.

2. That the fine mentioned in Decision (1a) above, shall be paid to the GFA within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of this Ruling, failing which Sporting Mirren FC shall automatically forfeit all subsequent matches after the said deadline in accordance with Article 15(b) of the GFA Disciplinary Code and Article 39(8)(b) of the First Amendment of the GFA General Regulations.

3. That should any party be dissatisfied with or aggrieved by this Decision the party has within three (3) days of being notified of this Ruling to appeal to the Appeals Committee [See Article 37(11) of the General Regulations of the GFA].

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