The Football Association (FA) has fined Real Tamale United (RTU FC) GHC100,000, and five officials have been handed a 12-month ban following player impersonation during a match against Dreams FC in the 2023/24 season.
The FA’s disciplinary committee found that RTU FC, already relegated, intentionally deceived match officials during their Matchday 28 fixture by fielding unregistered players who impersonated officially registered club players. This action occurred amidst a backdrop of the club’s registered players boycotting the game due to unpaid salaries and bonuses spanning six months.
RTU FC pleaded guilty to the charges and sought leniency, explaining that their actions responded to the club’s dire financial situation. They emphasized that they intended to manage the circumstances after registered players refused to participate in the match.
In response, the FA imposed a GHC100,000 fine on RTU FC. Additionally, officials directly involved in the match, including assistant coach Iddi Manzah Alhassan, team doctor Abdul-Samed Iddrisu, team manager Tanko Jentumah, and others Abdul-Gafaru Salifu and Sylvester Yaw Apanka, have each received a one-year ban from all football-related activities.
The disciplinary actions underscore the FA’s commitment to upholding fair play and integrity in Ghanaian football despite the challenges faced by clubs. These measures aim to maintain the credibility of domestic football competitions and serve as a deterrent against future breaches of league regulations.
