Accra Hearts of Oak have been charged on three counts of misconduct in respect of their 2015/16 Ghana Premier League match day six clash against Wa All Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium on April 3, 2016.
Displeased fans of the club resorted to pelting match officials with missiles over claims of unfair officiating during and after the match last Sunday.
The club has been charged for a breach of Articles 58 and 59 of the GFA Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(1)(a), 35(3)(b), 35(4), 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) the GFA General Regulations in respect of this match.
“That on or about the 20th minute of the match, when the first goal was scored against your club, your supporters threw water bottles and other objects at Assistant Referee 2, Freeman Anwulo and onto the field of play. That this behaviour of your supporters resulted in a hold up of play for about six (6) minutes in violation of the GFA Regulations,” a Ghana FA Charge sheet signed by prosecutor Raphael Tottimeh reads.
On the second count, Hearts are also charged for a breach of Articles 58 and 59 of the GFA Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(1)(a), 35(3)(b), 35(4), 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) the GFA General Regulations in respect of this match.
The particulars of the second offence reads: “That at half time when the match officials were walking to the dressing room your supporters threw water bottles and other objects at the match officials. That during the second half of play, anytime a decision goes against your club, your supporters threw water bottles and other objects at the two assistant referees and onto the field of play in violation of the GFA Regulations.
The third charge sees the Phobia s cited for a breach of Articles 58 and 59 of the GFA Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(1)(a), 35(3)(b), 35(4), 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) the GFA General Regulations in respect of this match.
“That immediately after the final whistle of the match, your supporters threw water bottles, stones and other objects at match officials and the security men escorting them into the dressing room and held the match officials hostage for over 35 minutes until the police rescued the match officials in police vehicle to the Police Station in violation of the GFA,” the charge sheet explained.
Accra Hearts of Oak who eventually lost the game 1-3 to Wa All Stars must “submit a written Statement of Defence to the charge(s) on or before Friday, April 8, 2016 on or before 5pm at the GFA Secretariat or through email address to the Disciplinary Committee, dc@ghanafa.org failing which the Disciplinary Committee shall proceed to adjudicate the case without your Statement of Defence.”
Below is the full charge sheet:
GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (GFA) CHARGE SHEET
The Club Secretary/CEO Accra Hearts of Oak SC Accra.
Charge Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2016 Case ID No: C/13/2016
Reply Date: Friday, April 8, 2016
CHARGE AGAINST ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK SC
IN RESPECT OF THE MATCH DAY 6 PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH BETWEEN ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK SC AND WA ALL STARS FC PLAYED AT ACCRA ON SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2016
The Match Day 6 Premier League match between Accra Hearts of Oak SC and Wa All Stars FC played at Accra on Sunday, 3rd April, 2016 refers:
Statement of Offence
CHARGE ONE
Accra Hearts of Oak SC is hereby charged for a breach of Articles 58 and 59 of the GFA Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(1)(a), 35(3)(b), 35(4), 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) the GFA General Regulations in respect of this match.
Particulars of the Offence
That on or about the 20th minute of the match, when the first goal was scored against your club, your supporters threw water bottles and other objects at Assistant Referee 2, Freeman Anwulo and onto the field of play. That this behaviour of your supporters resulted in a hold up of play for about six (6) minutes in violation of the GFA Regulations.
Statement of Offence
CHARGE TWO
Accra Hearts of Oak SC is hereby charged for a breach of Articles 58 and 59 of the GFA Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(1)(a), 35(3)(b), 35(4), 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) the GFA General Regulations in respect of this match.
Particulars of the Offence
That at half time when the match officials were walking to the dressing room your supporters threw water bottles and other objects at the match officials. That during the second half of play, anytime a decision goes against your club, your supporters threw water bottles and other objects at the two assistant referees and onto the field of play in violation of the GFA Regulations.
Statement of Offence
CHARGE THREE
Accra Hearts of Oak SC is hereby charged for a breach of Articles 58 and 59 of the GFA Disciplinary Code and Articles 35(1)(a), 35(3)(b), 35(4), 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) the GFA General Regulations in respect of this match.
Particulars of the Offence
That immediately after the final whistle of the match, your supporters threw water bottles, stones and other objects at match officials and the security men escorting them into the dressing room and held the match officials hostage for over 35 minutes until the police rescued the match officials in police vehicle to the Police Station in violation of the GFA
Regulations.
NB:
The Club Secretary is required to notify the individual or the club by giving them this letter. Failure to carry out this instruction will result in a fine against the club and/or the individual in addition to possible further action.
NOTES
Please take note that each charge is free-standing, albeit sequential, and separate punishments will be required in relation to each by the Prosecution.
Please also note that should the Prosecution be successful of your breach of the GFA Statutes, Regulations and the Code of Conduct, the Prosecution shall pray the Disciplinary Committee for the imposition of the maximum sanction(s) as set out by the GFA Statutes, Regulations and the GFA Code of Conduct should you choose for the personal hearing of this matter.
The Prosecution intends to rely on the evidence in the reports of the Referee, the Match Commissioner, any witness(es) and video of the match.
YOUR STATEMENT OF DEFENCE
In your Statement of Defence you must choose one of the following defence options:
1. I am pleading GUILTY to Charge No 1 (etc) and I WAIVE MY RIGHT TO PERSONAL HEARING but I submit a written plea for leniency.
2. I am pleading NOT GUILTY to the Charge No 1 (etc) and I WAIVE MY RIGHT TO PERSONAL HEARING but I hereby submit Written Statement of Defence and supporting Evidence to be considered by the Disciplinary Committee.
3. I am pleading NOT GUILTY to the Charge No 1 (etc) and I REQUEST PERSONAL HEARING to defend myself against the charge(s).
REPLY DATE
If you choose options 1 or 2, submit your written Statement of Defence to the charge(s) on or before Friday, April 8, 2016 on or before 5pm at the GFA Secretariat or through email address to the Disciplinary Committee, dc@ghanafa.org failing which the Disciplinary Committee shall proceed to adjudicate the case without your Statement of Defence.
PERSONAL HEARING (IF ANY)
Should you choose Defence Options 3 (Personal Hearing) in your Statement of Defence, kindly attend the Disciplinary Committee meeting, Friday, April 8, 2016 on or before 5pm at the GFA Secretariat to answer to the charge(s), failure which the Disciplinary Committee shall proceed to adjudicate the case in your absence.
Signed by:
RAPHAEL TOTTIMEH (GFA PROSECUTOR)
CC: THE CHAIRMAN, DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE THE GFA GENERAL SECRETARY
GFA COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
NB:
The Club Secretary is required to notify the individual or the club by giving them this letter. Failure to carry out this instruction will result in a fine against the club and/or the individual in addition to possible further action.