RTU smell rat in GFA rulings

Tamale, Sept. 21, GNA - The Management of Real Tamale United (RTU) has appealed to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to take a second look at an apparent unfair ruling in its protest against Goldfields for fielding an ineligible player, Valentine Atem.

In an interview with the GNA Sports in Tamale, Alhaji Adam Munkaila, Chairman of RTU said the club is disappointed at the GFA's disciplinary committee in the manner in which it is handling the issue, threatening to go to the law court if it (Committee) fails to give RTU a fair hearing.

Mr Munkaila said section IV of article 33 of the GFA Regulations sub-section (I) and (II) stipulates: "A non-Ghanaian player shall be registered by any Ghanaian club only after his production of-his International Transfer Certificate where necessary and the necessary work and residence permit issued by the Ghana Immigration Service; the date of expiry of each permit shall be quoted on the reverse of the player's license".

He said, though everything is clear in the regulations, GFA Disciplinary Committee is refusing to take action against Goldfields and had rather dismissed RTU's protest without any explanation.

The chairman is also calling for thorough investigations to find out who applied on behalf of the player for work permit to bring that person to book since the GFA regulations require every foreigner to apply in person for work and residence permits.

He said at the time the player featured for Goldfields against RTU, he had not fulfilled such obligations.

The Chairman recalled a similar incidence two years ago, where Asante Kotoko lost six points because Togolese import, Frank Atsu, had not complied with the rules saying that the GFA should not be discriminatory in its rulings. Accra Great Olympics and Real Tamale United last week complained bitterly about the GFA disciplinary committee decision, which nullified their protests against Obuasi Goldfields for fielding, Valentine Atem, in matches against them.

The two clubs accused the GFA of selective justice and advised that the decisions be reversed in their favour in the interest of fair play and justice. 21 Sept. 2003.