By Kwame Bediako
A former member of the GFA’s Executive Council, Samuel Anim Addo, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges filed against him by the GFA prosecutor.
Anim Addo contested the basis of the accusations in a detailed written response consisting of five key points, labeling the charges as “defective”. His response challenges the alleged breaches of the GFA Premier League Regulations 2019, arguing that the charges do not accurately reflect his comments.
The controversy dates back to January 9, when Anim Addo found himself at the center of disciplinary proceedings after he claimed some GFA members threatened to relegate his football club, Young Apostles. His allegations arose following a public denouncement on Twitter against referee Maxwell Hanson, whom he accused of consistent questionable officiating in the Ghana Premier League and other related competitions. The remarks were made amidst similar complaints from the club Accra Lions, who criticised Hanson’s officiating during their match against Dreams FC.
Shortly after making his accusations on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Anim Addo was charged with two violations: behaving in a manner bringing football and/or the GFA into disrepute, as per Article 34(6)(d), and wrongly accusing a referee without evidence, against Article 38(8)(C). Despite receiving 48 hours to respond, he initially sought an in-person hearing, a request that the GFA denied in favour of a written defence submission by January 17.
In his official response, Anim Addo vigorously disputed the charges, maintaining that they were not supported by the provisions cited by the GFA. He argued that neither count adequately represented his actions or statements, labeling them as insufficient to sustain any disciplinary action.
Furthermore, he firmly requested an opportunity for a comprehensive hearing where he would be represented by his attorney, emphasising the necessity for natural justice principles to be honoured. As the tensions between Anim Addo and the GFA escalate, the football community awaits the GFA’s response to his plea and demand for a full hearing.
