Hearts of Oak fielded an unqualified player Emmanuel Nettey against Elmina Sharks

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set for a showdown on its integrity after a whistleblower revealed that giants Hearts of Oak fielded an unqualified player in a Premier League match against Elmina Sharks earlier this month.

By the new regulation of the federation, the GFA is bound by it’s own laws to implement the report of a whistleblower which means it must act on the report to deduct Hearts of Oak SIX POINTS for fielding an unqualified player.

Top Ghanaian journalist Kwaku “Maestro” Obeng, who works with famous local radio station Asempa FM revealed on Wednesday that the former African champions fielded an ineligible player in a recent Ghana Premier League match.

It has emerged that that mercurial midfielder Emmanuel Nettey received three accumulated yellow cards prior to the side’s 1-1 stalemate against Sharks where he featured prominently.

Nettey received cautions against Ashantigold at home on match Day-8 on February 6, a second caution against Bechem United on match Day-10 on February 16 in Accra and a third caution at Karela United at the Akoon Park in Tarkwa on February 19, 2020.

He sat out of the side’s 2-0 win over Danbort FC in the FA Cup on February 23 and returned to the pitch against Elmina Sharks on March 1.

The decision to field him against the Fearsome Sharks is in sharp contrast to the controversial amended regulations of the Ghana FA which clearly stipulates that “Cautions received during one competition are not carried over another competition”.

This is a massive test case for the Ghana FA after the association docked league leaders Medeama six points for the same offence in a protest filed by Great Olympics.

While Sharks may have not filed a protest against the Phobians, the Ghana FA is now faced with the difficult decision to knock off points from the Ghanaian powerhouse following the revelation by the whistleblower as indicated by it’s own law.

The decision to award boardroom points to Great Olympics has ruffed feathers and sparked a wave of criticism, opening the FA up for widespread attacks.

Medeama have been docked six points for fielding an unqualified Nana Kofi Babil – who served his three match ban in the league after sitting out of the FA Cup tie against Karela United.

It’s now emerging several clubs are unaware of the law they claim was ‘smuggled’ in as the amended regulation was done by the Executive Coouncil, setting the tone for long legal battles to further derail the league that has been halted by CoronaVirus.

While Medeama has rejected the decision to dock of their points, the Ghana FA appears to have little choice to act against the former Africa champions for a similar infraction of the law. Failure to do so will show that favouritism is the order of the day.

This situation is likely to throw the season into further chaos with a litany of legal battles looming.

While Article 23(5) A & 25 (1) of the GFA statutes accords congress with the supreme and legislative authority and power, it appears Article 39(K) of the amended statutes has vested parallel legislative authority on the Executive Council – a situation which has divided opinions in the West African nation.

The new article appears to be a clear departure and a practice in contradiction to the status quo ante.

Critics says the new stipulation appears to elevate the Executive Council to the level of congress for no apparent reason as many football aficionados have vowed to ensure the authority of congress is jealously guarded.

Source: GHANAsoccernet.com