A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Sunday’s final Premier League matches following threats by King Faisal and Ashanti-gold to go to court or pull out of the competition if the Ghana Football Association (GFA) insists on going ahead with the games.
Faisal, who are battling against relegation, on Thursday threatened to seek redress in court if the GFA failed to heed their request to adjourn Sundays matches, while Ashanti-gold who suffered a six-point deduction last week are bent on pulling out of the League if the FA fails to give them back their points.
The Chief Executive of Ashanti-gold, who is on an official trip in South Africa, on Thursday confirmed to the Graphic Sports on phone that the club had sent a petition to that effect to the GF A.
Faisal, who find themselves in an uncomfortable relegation scuffle with Berekum Arsenal and Mighty Jets, last Tuesday wrote to the GFA requesting the adjournment of the week 30 matches until some outstanding issues whose outcome could have a direct bearing on the last matches had been addressed.
The letter signed by the Chief Executive of Faisal, Mr. Vincent Sowah Odotei, cited specific instances where Ashanti-gold had appealed against the Disciplinary Committee’s decision to declare Jets winners leading to the lost of three additional points, as well as Arsenal’s appeal against their three home ban to enable them to play their crucial game against New Edubiase at Berekum.
But the GFA, in a reply-letter dated June 1 and signed by the Deputy General Secretary (Technical), Mr. K. Ampim-Darko, emphasized that the matches would be played as scheduled since the results of the last matches cannot change the results of the previous matches which are before the Disciplinary Committee.
However, the GFA’s explanation did not go down well with Faisal who decided to seek redress in court if the FA’s dispute resolution process denied them justice.
“We cannot imagine how the FA cannot see how the appeal of Ash-gold in their match against Mighty Jets nor the appeal by Arsenals not to play home at an away venue as punishment would not have any bearing on the last round of matches.
If for nothing at all the outcome of the Ash-gold appeal will have some bearing on the preparation of all the teams in the relegation battle and ultimately the final positions on the League table,” Faisal lamented.
“Since the matches to be played are the final matches, we are strongly of the opinion that anything which we are aware can have a direct bearing on the final positions on the table must be dealt with so that each club will go into the final match knowing exactly how to prepare and what to do to determine its fate. It will be unacceptable if a club should find out that its hard won points on the field of play, will count for nothing as a result of a protest/award which was pending before it played the match.”
On the basis of that argument, Faisal thought the FA inequitable position put them in a disadvantaged position by forcing them to honour a match which may not be of any essence after all and contravenes the principles of natural justice.
“Consequently, and by this letter, we wish to formally refer the entire issue to the dispute resolution process enshrined in our status for resolution on or before Thursday, June 2, 2011.
“We wish to inform you that if we do not hear from you within the given period, we are advised that the exercise of the dispute resolution process as a pre-condition to further legal action would have been equitably been completed paving the way for lawful legal action which shall be initiated without further correspondence to you,” the letter warned.
Faisal has a home game with Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium, while Ash-gold play host to uncrowned champions, Berekum Chelsea, at Obuasi.
Tarkwa fans will have the privilege to watch the most thrilling game when Asante Kotoko attempt to avenge their first round loss against a well drilled Medeama SC side.
Arsenal is expected to honour their home game against new Edubiase away from home, while Mighty Jets lace a must win situation against Dwarfs.
At Dansoman, Liberty Professionals face Wa All Stars; relegation candidates, RTU, host Aduana Stars at Tamale, while Heart of Lions welcome Division One bound B.A. Stars at Kpando.
Source: Daily Graphic
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