Goalkeeper collapses on hearing charges

The Ghanaian Times report that the prosecution of Fatawu Alhassan, reserve goalkeeper of Okwawu United football Club, at a law court in Sunyani on Tuesday 23 October 2001, did not materialise following the failure of the suspect to appear before the court.

According to the paper, a police source disclosed to it that, the secretary of the board of the club, Mr Oduro-Nyarko, informed the police that the suspect collapsed on hearing that he would be arraigned before court and was sent to a hospital for treatment. Consequently, Mr Nyarko has been asked to submit medical report to that effect for verification.

Fatawu attacked FIFA referee Joseph Wellington of Accra with a football boot in a Star Premiere League encounter between Tano Bofoakwa and Okwawu United on Sunday 21 October 2001, at the Coronation Park in Sunyani, Brong Ahafo Region.

The act occurred shortly after the referee had signalled for the end of proceedings, which the homesters won

1-0. The suspect who protested vehemently that the goal was scored from an offside position tried to attack the referee with a football boot.

According to Superintendent Ampah-Bening, District Police Commander of Sunyani, a charge of assault has been preferred against the suspect. However, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Alex Yartey Tawiah revealed that the docket of the case is yet to be handed to the police’s court unit.

The Daily Graphic also reports that, Superintendent Ampah-Bening revealed to its sports desk that, the Sunyani Police had not yet completed preparation of the docket on the case. According to him the police are looking for “a vital information” and immediately they lay their hands on it, Fatawu would be charged before court. He however refused to specify the “vital information” the police are looking for.

Meanwhile, the Ghanaian Times again reports that, the Appeals Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has awarded Okwawu United the three points in their outstanding match with Goldfields.

It also reports that, the GFA has announced that in all football matches the two clubs engaged in a particular encounter would share 60 per cent of the gate proceeds while 30 per cent will be retained by the FA with 10 per cent going to the National Sports Council.

In addition, all clubs, which honour away matches, would be entitled to a subsidiary to be paid after the match.