GFA imposes GHc100,000 fine on RTU, hands one-year ban to five officials

The Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has imposed a GHc100,000 fine on Real Tamale United (RTU) for fielding unqualified players in a 2023-24 Ghana Premier League match. The Tamale-based side, during an outstanding league match against Dreams FC, fielded unregistered players in a match they lost 8-1 and subsequently saw them relegated to the first division. The GFA, after concluding their investigations, stated that RTU intentionally deceived the match officials during the said game by using unregistered players to impersonate officially registered players of the club. 'Real Tamale United FC pleaded guilty to the charges and pleaded for leniency. The Statement of defence filed by the club explained that the club were in a difficult situation, and officials thought their actions on the day were intended to alleviate an already bad situation for the club as the club's registered players refused to make the trip. 'In its ruling on the matter, the GFA Disciplinary Committee found Real Tamale United FC guilty of the charge and fined the Club for misconduct,' a statement on the GFA's website said. Also, five officials of RTU, namely Iddi Manzah Alhassan, Abdul-Samed Iddrisu, Abdul-Gafaru Salifu, Tanko Jentumah, and Sylvester Yaw Apanka, were banned from all football-related activities for one year. Source: Ghana News Agency