GFA Chairman prescribes heavy fines for litigants

Accra, Dec 11, GNA – Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has called for the imposition of heavy fines on plaintiffs when they lose their cases so as to deter people from unduly dragging the FA to court on unnecessarily.

He said the recent increase in the number of court cases filed against the FA is a result of the failure of the judges to impose heavy fines or award heavy costs against especially the losing plaintiffs hence many people have taken the delight in dragging the FA to court without any just cause.

An Accra High Court last Friday dismissed an application for injunction filed by Appleh Sackey but failed to award any cost against him.

Nyantakyi told the GNA Sports that he was disappointed with the court’s decision not to fine the plaintiff since such acts only open up the doors for similar cases.

“If heavy fines or cost are however awarded against such people I believe many supporters and clubs will be careful before filing any case against the FA at the courts.”

“Most of the judges have failed to do this possibly because they are well abreast with the rules of the game.” Mr Nyantakyi added.
Nyantakyi, however, revealed that the Association will soon organize a seminar for judges to update their knowledge on the rules and regulations guiding the sport.

He said the seminar which will be a follow up to the maiden edition held last year will seek to update the knowledge base of the judges on the game.

This, he said, will ensure fair and quick judgment of cases against the FA since the numerous court cases have caused a lot of inconvenience to the local league.

Nyantakyie added that the FA will also initiate dialogue with the Chief Justice to find ways of keeping football matters outside the courts since the unending court cases have not in any way helped in the development of the game.

The FA Chairman said the court cases have rather caused more harm than good, citing the recent troubles the national Premier League has gone through.

Lawyer Thaddeus Sory, counsel for the FA corroborated the views of Nyantakyi in a brief chat with the GNA Sports after the court’s dismissal of an injunction filed by Sackey, a sympathizer of Accra Great Olympics last week.

He said it is regrettable that the plaintiffs have always been left free without any cost and this seems to be a motivating factor for such litigants to ahead with issuing writs.

GNA