Ghana FA dismisses bribery allegations against Bolga All Stars

Ghana Football Association's ethics committee has announced that newly promoted premier league side Bolga All Stars are not guilty of bribery or match fixing following allegations levelled against them by supporters of Brong Ahafo United concerning Bolga’s victory on matchday 28 of the Division One League played at the Sunyani Coronation Park in September.

Reports suggested that supporters of Brong Ahafo retrieved an amount of $1,000 from one of their club's officials during the game which was alleged to have been the amount paid by All Stars, leading to their 2-1 win.

However, after the two clubs appeared in front of the committee, it has been revealed that the supporters lacked evidence and the case dismissed.

"The GFA ethics committee chaired by its vice chairman has dismissed the case of bribery and match fixing between BA United FC and Bolga All Stars FC in respect of their Day 28 match," the statement began.

"Based on a request by the division one league board to find out if there was bribery and match fixing between BA United FC and Bolga All Stars FC, the committee commenced its investigations on 15 September 2016. Subsequently, the Committee also received a petition from Wamnafo Mighty Royals FC as an interested party. This was after it was alleged that supporters of BA United attacked and accused some of its club officials of taking money from Bolga All Stars to fix their league match in favour of the latter.

"The committee took into consideration evidence from the division one league board and all parties (oral, written, audio and video). From the evidence presented before the committee, there is no direct proof that indeed money changed hands between the two clubs prior or during the match. Evidence from both the referee and the match commissioner’s reports do not suggest that is was a match of convenience.

"The committee believes that there are no bases for the claim of bribery and match fixing between the two clubs notwithstanding the pieces of evidence before the Committee. For the simple reason that the pieces of evidence does not directly point to a giver or a taker of the alleged bribe.

The reasons for this decision shall be made available to the GFA and to all parties soon," the statement added.

Following this ruling, the football association has only Tema Youth and Dreams FC case to deal with before the 2016-17 season kicks off, which could be delayed until February next year.