[ 2015-04-21 ]

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

Source - Ghana FA

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