Hearts fined over Duncan dismissal

The status Committee of the Ghana Football Association has ordered Ghanaian giants Accra Hearts of Oak to pay GH¢86,500 as penalty for unlawful dismissal of former coach David Duncan, footy-Ghana.com can reveal exclusively.

The coach had petitioned the Status committee, claiming unlawful dismissal by his former club and demanded that the Ghana employment act be used to grant him some compensation.

After three sittings where both sides made their cases, the committee’s ruling finds the Phobian club culpable for sacking the gaffer without prior notice as stated in his contract.

Hearts of Oak have been ordered to pay up an amount of GH¢86,500 representing a year’s expected revenue of the former Free State Stars Coach if he had been allowed to see out his contract which would have ended on November 11 this year. Duncan

In the sitting prior to Thursday’s ruling, Hearts of Oak presented a GH¢21,000 cheque [representing three months’ salary] to Duncan as the stipulated compensation for sacking him without prior notice. It is understood this amount would form part of the total penalty charged on the Phobians.

Duncan has already received the stipulated three-month salary compensation fee in his two year contract signed with Hearts of Oak on November 11, 2012.

FootyGhana can also confirm that Hearts have also been surcharged an amount of GH¢5,000 for the failure of their lawyers to attend one of the sittings of the committee which led to its adjournment. The amount to be paid will go to the coffers of the committee.

The Phobians have 14 days from the date of ruling to settle all amounts to avoid further sanctions. However, footy-Ghana.com understands the club will move for an appeal.

David Duncan officially signed a two-year contract with Hearts of Oak on November 11, 2012 but his stay was short-lived by the club over unexplained circumstances on November 8 last year.

During his stay, he took charge of the club for 39 games in all competitions bagging 21 wins; 11 drawn games and lost 7 times.