Breaking News: Hearts win landmark protest against Kotoko over use of 'unqualified' Obed Owusu
The Ghana FA’s Disciplinary Committee have upheld a protest lodged by Hearts of Oak against Asante Kotoko for the use of striker Obed Owusu in the Week 25 Premier League fixture, GHANAsoccernet.com is reliably informed.
The Phobians won the landmark protest after it was ruled that striker Obed Owusu was indeed not qualified to have played the match which Kotoko originally won 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium over accumulated cautions.
Accordingly, Hearts of Oak have been adjudged winners of the match they originally lost and have also been credited with three goals.
Kotoko on the other hand have been docked six points which plunges them right into the relegation dogfight as they will be dropping to 15th on the league log.
The landmark decision was made by the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday having gone through all supporting documents of the opposing clubs.
The decision read: "Having found that Obed Owusu was unqualified to play against Hearts of Oak, the next question is to decide the consequences that follow from the act of Kotoko in fielding that unqualified player.
"The consequences of fielding an unqualified player are spelt out in Article 34 (1) (e) of the GFA General Regulations as leading to a forfeiture of the match played by the team which fielded the unqualified player, pursuant to a protest.
"Article 34(2) mandatorily requires that no matter the scores at the end of the match in question, the team which fielded an unqualified player shall be considered as having lost the match and three points and three goals shall be awarded in favour of the innocent team, unless the innocent team is leading by more than three goals at the time of the offence in which case the scores will stand.
"Three points and three goals are further required by Article 34(5)(a) to be deducted from the total accumulated points of the defaulting club. A fine of GH¢5,000 is also to be imposed if default was in respect of the Premier League.
"The Committee has no option but to apply the various punishments specified by the GFA Regulations. Accordingly, Hearts of Oak is awarded three points and three goals in respect of its 25th Week Premier League Match played against Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
"Three points and Three goals are also deducted from the total accumulated points of Kotoko in the Premier League. A fine of GH¢5,000 is to be paid by Kumasi Asante Kotoko, half of which is to go to Hearts of Oak."
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