In a significant development for Ghanaian football, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled that Wilfried Osei Kwaku Palmer, the owner of Tema Youth, must pay the Ghana Football Association a substantial amount of 150,000 Euros. This decision stems from a dispute related to the transfer of winger Joseph Paintsil to KRC Genk in 2018.
Joseph Paintsil, a talented Black Stars winger, made the move to the Belgian outfit from the now-defunct Premier League side. However, complications arose regarding the payment of a percentage of the transfer fee owed to the Ghana Football Association, leading to a protracted legal battle.
With the dispute escalating, the case found its way to the highest football tribunal, CAS, which recently issued its judgment against Mr. Osei Palmer. The ruling upheld the decision previously made by the Appeals Committee of the Ghana Football Association, including the payment obligation of 150,000 Euros owed to the association.
CAS, in a statement dated September 22, 2023, stated, “The decision issued on 11 June by the Appeals Committee of the Ghana Football Association, insofar as it concerns the interest of the Ghana Football Association, including the payment obligation concerning the amount of 150,000 Euros to be paid to the Ghana Football Association, is confirmed.”
Furthermore, in addition to the ordered payment, Tema Youth is also required to bear the full cost of the arbitration proceedings, which will be disbursed to the Ghana Football Association.
This ruling by CAS marks a significant outcome in the ongoing dispute, providing clarity and closure to a contentious issue that has lingered in Ghanaian football circles for some time. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the future dynamics of football management and financial transactions within the Ghana Football Association.
