GFA set rules to deal with unqualified players

Accra, May 12, GNA - The Ghana Football Association (GFA) at its last Congress adopted a two-way transfer system to deal with the problems of protests and counter protests in the premiership as result of the fielding of unqualified players by Clubs in competitive games. It has therefore directed that henceforth, the transfer window and player registration would open just after the end of every season to lasts for 12 weeks.

After that the registration of names and pictures of registered players will be published in the national dailies after its closure and interested parties have 14 days to lodge protest on any player deemed to be unqualified.

According to the new rules, all players shall be declared duly qualified to play in the premiership if protests are not lodged within the stipulated time.

The second transfer system would however open before the last matches of the first round of the Premier League and would last for four weeks.

Interested parties have seven days to lodge any protest after the publication of the registered players. Protests raised on any player after the seven days shall be declared invalid.

The Congress also adopted the registration of strips by participating Clubs in the premiership for home and away matches. This is to avoid clash of colours in the competition as well as delays in the start of league matches.

The FA has also instituted punitive measures for Clubs that cause delays in the start of matches.

In a related development, the calendar of the 2006 national Premier League has been changed to synchronise with the European calendar. The premiership, which starts from February to November, has now been shifted to from July to April.

In view of the new arrangement, the next Premier League will commence in July this year and end in April 2007. This is to pave the way for the Clubs to have enough time for quality recruitment of players for the following season as well as for continental competitions.

It is also to ensure the availability of players for the national teams.