Hearts of Oak fined GH¢12,000 for indiscipline against Wa All Stars

In a statement released by the Disciplinary Committee consisting of Cosmas Anpengnuo as the chairman and two other members Alex Kotey and Nurudeen Alhassan, Hearts of Oak were charged under Articles 35, 58 and 59 of the GFA Disciplinary code.

The full statement on the decision read on the official website of the Ghana Football Association:

DECISION OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE ON THE ALLEGED MISCONDUCT OF ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK IN RESPECT OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PLAYED AT THE ACCRA SPORTS STADIUM ON 3RD APRIL 2016 BETWEEN ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK AND WA ALL STARS F.C

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

CASE

ACCRA HEARTS OF OAKS was charged with three (3) counts under the GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (GFA) GENERAL REGULATIONS. Under count one, it is the case of the GFA that in or about the 20th minute of the match when the first goal was scored against HEARTS OF OAK, supporters of the club threw water bottles and other objects at Assistant referee 2 and onto the field of play which resulted in the hold up of play for about six (6) minutes.

ACCRA HEARTS OF OAKS has therefore been charged under Articles 58 and 59 of the GFA Disciplinary code and Articles 35(i)(a); 35(3)(b); 35(4); 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) of the GFA General Regulations.

Under count two (2) it is the case of the GFA that at half time when the match officials were walking to the dressing room, supporters of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles and other objects at the match officials and that during the second half, anytime a decision went against HEARTS OF OAK, the supporters of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles and other objects at the two assistance referees and onto the field to play.

HEARTS OF OAK has therefore been charged under Articles 35(i)(a); 35(3)(b); 35(4); 35(7)(a) and 35(7)(d) of the GFA General Regulations.

Under the third count it is the case of the GFA that immediately after the final whistle, supporters of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles, stones and other objects at match officials and the security men escorting the match officials into the dressing room and held the match officials hostage for over 35 minutes until the match officials were rescued by police.

In a letter to the Acting General Secretary of the GFA dated 7th April 2016 Accra Hearts of Oak pleaded guilty to the charges and waived its right to attend the hearing of the Disciplinary Committee.

BY COMMITTEE

FINDINGS

The Committee found that in or about the 20th minutes into the match supporters of ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles and others objects into the field of play and at the assistant referee 2. That at half time when the match officials were walking to the dressing room, supporters of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles and other objects at the match officials and that in the second half, anytime a decision went against HEARTS OF OAK, the supporter of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles and other objects at the two assistant referees and unto the field of play. That after the final whistle, supporters of HEARTS OF OAK threw water bottles, stones and other objects at match officials and security men escorting them into the dressing room.

BY COMMITTEE

It is the view of the Committee that the aforesaid conduct of the supporters of HEARTS OF OAK amounts to misconduct.

The committee further found that the conduct of the supporters of HEARTS OF OAK resulted in the hold up of play of the match for about six (6) minutes in about 20 minutes into the match. That the match officials were held hostage for over 35 miutes by supporters of HEARTS OF OAK after the match.

It is the view of the committee that the conduct of the supporters of HEARTS OF OAK by causing the match to be held up for about six (6) minutes and for holding the match officials hostage amounts to misconduct and violates Article 35(1)(a) and Article 39 of the GFA General Regulations.

The Committee has also considered the conduct of HEART OF OAK in rendering an apology on behalf of its supporters.

DATED AT THE GFA THIS 5TH DAY OF MAY 2016

CHAIRMAN

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

Wa All Stars won the Ghana Premier League away game by three goals to one against home team Accra Hearts of Oak.