The President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku has reiterated the desire of the FA to see persons involved in match-fixing in Ghana football punished.
Ghana Premier League clubs Ashgold and Inter Allies are facing charges of match manipulation after match-fixing claims surfaced in the aftermath of Ashgold’s 7-0 win last season.
The GFA President, who has previously insisted that anyone found guilty would face justice, repeated this assurance in his interaction with the IGP, COP George Akuffo Dampare, insisting that the perpetrators will be brought to book.
“In most recent times, match fixing has also reared its head in our football ecosystem. Last year we had some bad incidents and I remember making my way here to meet the CID boss and I’m happy to say that we had a good engagement,” Kurt Okraku said.
“Investigations are ongoing to ensure that people who joke with our businesses, people who go wayward are brought to book.”
What happened in July?
Ashgold’s seemingly routine win over already-relegated Inter Allies sparked controversy after footage of Allies’ Hasmin Musah scoring two deliberate own goals went viral.
Musah netted two own goals in the space of four minutes, with 12 minutes to play in the final match of the season.
Musah said afterwards that his technical team commended him for his actions after the game.
“After the game, my technical team commended me for spoiling the bet they had staked,” he said.
I promised my coach that if he allows me to play from the bench I will spoil the bet. And after the game, my team congratulated me.”
The player also justified his actions, stating in an interview with Kumasi FM that he put the ball past his own goalkeeper twice to ruin an apparent bet that had been made prior to the game, predicting a 5-1 scoreline.
He said his actions were a result of his derision for gambling.
“I heard it in our hotel that a bet had been made for a correct scoreline of 5 goals to 1 against my club Inter Allies.
“I decided to spoil that bet because I don’t condone betting,” he is quoted as having said in the interview.
The Ghana Football Association launched an investigation into the incident and notified the police to commence a criminal probe as well.
The two clubs have since been charged with match manipulation.
Ashgold issued a statement, denying the claims, insisting that their players were professional during the game.