WRFA Disciplinary Committee Rules Against Real Pieso United FC for Fielding Unqualified Players

Sekondi, February 25, 2025 – The Western Regional Football Association (WRFA) Disciplinary Committee has ruled in favor of Tarkwa United FC after the club protested against Real Pieso United FC for fielding unqualified players in their Second Division League match played on November 11, 2024, at the Cyanide Astro Turf in Tarkwa.

The Protest and Evidence

Tarkwa United FC filed a formal protest on November 13, 2024, alleging that Real Pieso United FC fielded players who were not duly registered or approved at the time of the match. The protesting club submitted photographs and a copy of Real Pieso United’s team sheet as evidence. The players in question included:

Ganakey Tengy (No.16)

Francis Akaab (No.11)

Kingsley Ansah (No.3)

Solomon Akublila (No.2)

Alex Nengo (No.9)

Mahama Fuseini (No.15)

Kingsley Agbah (No.17)

Meshack Tagoe (No.8)

Ezekiel Bonzie (No.4)

John Owusu (No.10)

Francis Dentu (No.5)

Unusah T. Mensah (No.7)

Theophilus Arthur (No.13)

Elijah Cobbold (No.16)

Upon notification, Real Pieso United FC filed a defense, claiming that all the players listed in the protest had been registered for the 2024/2025 season but were "pending approval" by the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) IT department. The club also countered that Tarkwa United FC had similarly fielded unqualified players.

Investigation and Findings

The Disciplinary Committee examined multiple sources of evidence, including the Referee’s Report, the team sheet of Real Pieso United FC, and a detailed search of the FIFA Connect System. The investigation revealed that:

1. The protested players were indeed fielded during the match, except for Alex Nenyo, who remained an unused substitute.

2. None of the listed players were officially registered with Real Pieso United FC at the time of the match.

3. As a result, all the named players were unqualified to play.

Ruling and Sanctions

Based on Article 28(1)(a) and 2(a) of the Regional Football Association League Regulations, 2021, the committee found Real Pieso United FC guilty of fielding unqualified players. The club was sanctioned as follows:

1. Match Forfeiture – Real Pieso United FC forfeits the match under Article 33(1)(e).

2. Award of Points – Tarkwa United FC is awarded three (3) points and three (3) goals, as per Article 33(2).

3. Deduction of Points – Real Pieso United FC loses three (3) additional points from its accumulated tally, per Article 33(5)(a).

4. Monetary Fine – The club must pay a fine of Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH₵3,000.00), with 50% of the amount allocated to Tarkwa United FC. The fine must be paid within fourteen (14) days of receiving the ruling.

This decision underscores the WRFA’s commitment to enforcing league regulations and ensuring fair play in regional competitions.

End of Report

Issued at WRFA Offices, Sekondi

Dated: February 25, 2025

Signed: Constantine K. M. Kudzedzi, Esq. (Chairman, WRFA Disciplinary Committee)