60 Goals, Pele suspended

DANIEL AFORO

Currently, all eyes are on the Senior National Team of Ghana, the Black Stars after the wonderful performance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. They were the only African team that went to the round 16 stage at the tournament.

Their recent international friendliest have proved critics wrong since few soccer enthusiasts, including a footballer El Hadj Diouf doubting the credibility of their qualification at the world cup. The 4-1 trashing of Nigeria Super Eagles, in early February is evidence that the team may claim their lost glory on the continent of Africa.

No wonder they were ranked 19^th in the World and 2^nd in Africa, by FIFA-Coca Cola world ranking in March. Indeed, this was the country’s all time best record within the past decade.

Unfortunately, an unforgettable incident rocked the Ghana Football Association GFA, on March 28, this year, when 60 goals were recorded in two separate matches, during the last match of the Division One Middle League. Nania FC scored Okwawu United 31-0, whereas Great Mariners scored Mighty Jets 29-0.

The two clubs had the same point but Mariners have goal difference and Nania needed to score more to qualify. This shameful score lines would probably be the biggest in the record books of CAF and FIFA. I stand to be corrected.

The Disciplinary Committee of the GFA, in their investigations concluded that the score lines in those matches were predetermined and hence fixed. The report in addition declared the results of the zone three matches null and void and assumed the results to be expunged from the records of the FA.

In addition, the investigations called for the sanctions of players who played in full time of the game for a year and their officials were also handed a banned for a year without sitting on any bench and the affected teams relegated to Division three.

The sanction rod affected the owner and coach of Nania FC, Abedi Ayew Pele, for a year without sitting at a bench.

Abedi Pele has achieved a lot in his days as a player. He was voted three times African Footballer of the year, played in World IX, captained the Africa Selected side in winning against their European side.

His achievements have made him very popular across the globe and in the good books of both CAF and FIFA. The role of Pele, Roger Miller of Cameroon, and George Weah of Liberia, Lucas Radebe and Mark Fish, both South Africans helped South Africa, to host the 2010 World Cup.

With this the head of South Africa 2010 World Cup Local Committee LOC, Mr. Danny Jordan, has stated that Abedi Pele , would remain Ambassador for the 2010 World Cup but was quick to add that until the GFA establishes his guilt for his one year ban for alleged match fixing.

Abedi Pele has filed an appeal against his ban claiming innocence and in an interview with the Graphic Sports, of Ghana; said he has personally sent FIFA President Sepp Blatter and the South Africa 2010 LOC copies of the GFA Disciplinary Committee ruling on the case to establish his innocence.

Last year, match fixing in Italy stripped Juventus of their last two Serie A title and relegated to Serie B.

 The question is, Ghana upon their splendid performance is still lacking prolific strikers who could utilized chances or change a wrong chance to victory. And if those goal scorers are “best” why don’t they fit into the shoes of the senior strikers. Probably they might be scoring many goals for the country. Of course those are some of the sentiments soccer analysts and lovers of the game are asking.

The Disciplinary Committee of the GFA, in their appeal should thoroughly investigate and punish all those found culpable .The punishment need to be fair and firm. People are of the view that the sanction was too hash especially to the young players since it could affect their career .They cited example of Juventus players who are still in active football.

The Disciplinary Committee should not judge the case by looking at personalities but use evidence that is available to them.