GFA gets tough on betting in Ghana Premier League

The President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku has promised to rid the local game of betting syndicates and has thus resolved to punish severely any direct stakeholder of the game who is seen and reported to be gambling on any of the key products of the FA.

Allegations of Betting companies influencing the results of some games in the Ghana Premier League are not new and is increasingly becoming a trouble spot for the Football Association.

Only last week, Ghana Premier League side, Elmina Sharks made a passionate appeal to the FA to launch an investigation into a ’fake’ friendly involving the club’s academy side and Sekondi Hasaacas on Friday, 20 October, 2019.

The management of the Elmina-based side claim certain unscrupulous persons infiltrated into their youth set up to organize the scrimmage at their blind side.

Sharks suspect the friendly was put together for betting purpose.

For them, ’No such match happened’ and want the scoreline scrapped from the books.

It is for scandals like these that the new FA boss and his Executive Council have approved new rules and regulations regarding betting in the Ghana Premier League.

Speaking at the launch of the 2019/2020 Football Season on Friday December 20, Kurt Okraku said dubious betting syndicates and the fixing of games will be a thing of the past.

“We have new provisions on betting. All participant in our football (players, GFA staff members, club staff members, coaches, club administrators, referees, match commissioners etc.) are strictly prohibited from taking part in betting. Again, no betting company can use our fixtures or match results for betting without an authorization or a licence from the GFA.

“There are also new provisions on post-match interviews and more importantly on members of the association, referees, coaches and players etc making false allegations and dishonest remarks without proof that disparages any person or bring the competitions into disrepute. It is now punishable. The Association will take cogent steps to protect its products against anyone use false statements to denigrate our competitions and the GFA. The GFA cannot and must not stand by and look on unconcern for its products or image to be false tarnished”.

The glitzy launch ceremony was graced by the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, also marked the return of competitive league football in since June 2018.

The Ghana Premier League will be the first competition to kick off next weened and the remaining league competitions will kick off in January 2020.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Dr. Bawumia expressed delight for the return of league football in the country and also stressed on the importance of the league.

"I am as excited as you are this evening for obvious reasons. This gathering I no it only heralding the return of organised league in the country after several months break, it is also an opportunity for the GFA to make a strong case to all football stakeholders, including the Government of Ghana and the corporate community, that the GFA has picked up the pieces and is ready to return with a bang", said Dr. Bawumia.