Accra Hearts of Oak has been fined a total of GH¢12,000 and will play their next three (3) home matches behind closed doors.
This was pronounced in the GFA Disciplinary Committee (B)'s decision after the Club was charged on three (3) counts of misconduct after their Ghana Premier League match against Wa All Stars played at the Accra Stadium on April 3, 2016.
Below is the full ruling of the Disciplinary Committee:
DECISION OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE ON THE ALLEGED MISCONDUCT OF ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK IN RESPECT OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PLAYED AT THE ACCRA SPORTS STADIUM ON 3RD APRIL 2016 BETWEEN ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK AND WA ALL STARS F.C
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
- COSMAS ANPENGNUO – CHAIRMAN
- ALEX KOTEY – MEMEBER
- NURUDEEN ALHASSAN – MEMBER
CASE
ACCRA HEARTS OF OAKS was charged with three (3) counts under the GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (GFA) GENERAL REGULATIONS. Under count one, it is the case of the GFA that in or about the 20th minute of the match when the first goal was scored against HEARTS OF OAK, supporters of the club threw water bottles and other objects at Assistant referee 2 and onto the field of play which resulted in the hold up of play for about six (6) minutes.
ACCRA HEARTS OF OAKS has therefore been charged under Articles 58 and 59 of the GFA Disciplinary code and Articles 35(i)(a); 35(3)(b); 35(4); 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) of the GFA General Regulations.
Under count two (2) it is the case of the GFA that at half time when the match officials were walking to the dressing room, supporters of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles and other objects at the match officials and that during the second half, anytime a decision went against HEARTS OF OAK, the supporters of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles and other objects at the two assistance referees and onto the field to play.
HEARTS OF OAK has therefore been charged under Articles 35(i)(a); 35(3)(b); 35(4); 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) of the GFA General Regulations.
Under the third count it is the case of the GFA that immediately after the final whistle, supporters of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles, stones and other objects at match officials and the security men escorting the match officials into the dressing room and held the match officials hostage for over 35 minutes until the match officials were rescued by police.
In a letter to the Acting General Secretary of the GFA dated 7th April 2016 Accra Hearts of Oak pleaded guilty to the charges and waived its right to attend the hearing of the Disciplinary Committee.
BY COMMITTEE
Article 58 of the GFA Disciplinary Code states as follows
"Anyone subject to this code who intimidates a match official with serious threats will be sanctioned with a fine of at least GH¢2000 and a match suspension. These sanctions constitute a departure from art 32 in that they may not be combined with others".
Articles 59 of the GFA Disciplinary Code states as follows;
"Anyone subject to this code who use violence or threats to pressurize a match official into taking certain action or to hinder him in any other way from acting freely will be sanctioned with a fine of at least GH¢2000 and a match suspension. These sanctions constitute a departure from Art 33 in that they may not be combined with others."
Article 3 of the GFA Disciplinary Code sets out the scope of application of the Code. It states as follows:
"The following are subject to this code:
- Member of the association, in particular the clubs
- Officials;
- Players;
- Match officials;
- Licensed match and players' agents;
- Anyone authorized by the GFA to perform a function in a match, competition or other event organized by the GFA
- Spectators
It is the view of the committee that Articles 58 and 59 of the GFA Disciplinary Code are not applicable to a club but to a natural person and is therefore not appropriate as a charge against ACCRA HEARTS OF OAKS.
Articles 35(i)(a); 35(3)(b); 35(4); 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) of the GFA General Regulations states as follows;
35 (1)(a)
A club official, player or member of a club who (a) interferes with the progress of a match; or
35 (3)(b)
Throwing of sachet water, plastic bottles and other objects onto the field of play shall attract the sanctions in paragraph 3c above
35(4)
The Association shall hold clubs responsible for the misconduct of their supporters before, during and after a match.
35(7)
In addition to matters referred to in any other rule, it shall be misconduct if a club, Director, official, Referee, Assistant Referee, or player or member is proved to have some or permitted or assisted any of the following to be done.
(a) Violation of the laws of the Game or rules and regulations of the Association or any other Association affiliated to FIFA
7(d)
Commit any offensive act not provided for in above or made any offensive statement either verbally or in writing or is responsible for any conduct or any matter which is in the opinion of the Association ungentlemanly, insulting or improper behaviour or likely be bring the game into disrepute".
FINDINGS
The Committee found that in or about the 20th minutes into the match supporters of ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles and others objects into the field of play and at the assistant referee 2. That at half time when the match officials were walking to the dressing room, supporters of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles and other objects at the match officials and that in the second half, anytime a decision went against HEARTS OF OAK, the supporter of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles and other objects at the two assistant referees and unto the field of play. That after the final whistle, supporters of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles, stones and other objects at match officials and security men escorting them into the dressing room.
BY COMMITTEE
It is the view of the Committee that the aforesaid conduct of the supporters of HEARTS OF OAK amounts to misconduct.
The committee further found that the conduct of the supporters of HEARTS OF OAK resulted in the hold up of play of the match for about six (6) minutes in about 20 minutes into the match. That the match officials were held hostage for over 35 miutes by supporters of HEARTS OF OAK after the match.
It is the view of the committee that the conduct of the supporters of HEARTS OF OAK by causing the match to be held up for about six (6) minutes and for holding the match officials hostage amounts to misconduct and violates Article 35(1)(a) and Article 39 of the GFA General Regulations.
The Committee has also considered the conduct of HEART OF OAK in rendering an apology on behalf of its supporters.
DECISION
1. ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK Sporting Club is hereby fined GH¢2000.00 for persistently throwing plastic bottles and other objects onto the field of play in accordance with Article 35(3)(b) and Article 39(4) of the GFA Regulation.
2. ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK Sporting Club is hereby fined an amount of GH¢10,000.00 for the misconduct of its supporters in accordance with Article 39(1)(b) of the GFA General Regulation.
3. ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK Sporting club is shall play its next three (3) home matches behind closed doors in accordance with Article 24 of the GFA Disciplinary Code.
DATED AT THE GFA THIS 5TH DAY OF MAY 2016
CHAIRMAN
DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE