By: Nana Kwame Bediako
Real Tamale United (RTU) has been charged by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for fielding unregistered players in their recent Ghana Premier League match against Dreams FC. The match, which took place on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, saw RTU suffer a crushing 8:1 defeat.
This breach of the regulatory code has sparked significant controversy and has put the club under intense scrutiny.The complications for RTU arose from unpaid salaries for their registered players, which forced the club to field second-tier players.
The GFA’s Section 34 of the Disciplinary Code strictly prohibits such actions, and RTU’s decision to use unregistered players has been deemed a serious violation. This situation has not only affected the club’s reputation but also brought into question the integrity of the league.
In the wake of these events, the GFA has charged six key members of the RTU management team, including the CEO, Zakaria Safianu. The GFA’s statement on the matter highlights the gravity of the misconduct, stating that RTU intentionally deceived match officials by using unregistered players to impersonate officially registered ones. Such actions are seen as bringing the game into disrepute, and the GFA is determined to uphold the integrity of Ghanaian football.
The GFA has given RTU until Friday, June 14, 2024, to respond to the charges. In the meantime, a thorough investigation is being conducted into the players alleged to have engaged in impersonation. The prosecution is working diligently to confirm the true identities of these players, and appropriate charges will be brought against any individuals found culpable.
The GFA’s commitment to enforcing the rules and maintaining the standards of the game is evident in their swift and decisive actions. As this situation unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adherence to regulatory codes and the consequences of compromising the integrity of the sport.
