GFA set rules to deal with unqualified players

Accra, May 13, GNA - In the face of protests and counter protests in the premiership, due fielding of unqualified players by clubs, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) at its last congress adopted a two way transfer system to deal with the problem.

Henceforth, the transfer window and player registration opens just after the end of every season and this will last for 12 weeks. After the registration 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 dully qualified to play in the premiership if protests are not lodged within the stipulated time.

The second transfer system, will however open before the last matches of the first round of the premier league and shall last for four weeks.

Again, 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.

Also adopted at the congress is 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 calender of national premier league 2006 has been changed to synchronised with the European calender. The premiership, which starts from February to November, has now been shifted to July to April.

In view of this, the next premiership will commence in July this year and ends in April 2007. This is to pave way for clubs to have enough time for quality recruitment for the following season as well as the continental competitions. It is also to ensure the availability of players for the national teams.