Division Two League club FC Tamale have officially written to the Ghana FA asking them to intervene in the selection criteria for the upcoming MTN FA Cup competition.
The club argues that the selection of teams to participate in the competition was not based on sporting merit but rather balloting by a group.
Below are paragraphs of the letter sent to the Ghana FA.
1. In the 2017/2018 Football season and at the end of the Northern Regional 2nd Division League, Gbewaa United FC, Real Republicans FC, Sankara FC and FC Tamale were the top four clubs on the league log. Gbewaa United FC topped the table and therefore had promotion to play in the National Division One League. The other three clubs (based on sporting merits) qualify to participate in the MTN-FA Cup Competition as Northern Regional Representatives. the competition was curtailed when the Anas expose came up and subsequently all activities of the GFA were truncated.
2. During the 2019/2020 season a Regional Congress was held to discuss which clubs were to represent the Region in the MTN-FA Cup Competition. The Vice-chairman was of the view that by the rules those who participated in the truncated edition should represent the Region. Just like The case of Aduana Stars and Asante Kotoko representing Ghana after the Anas expose in the CAF Competitions because they were the previous participants (before the expose) was cited as precedent.
The Chairman proposed balloting which was vehemently opposed on the grounds that it was alien to association football and very unfair considering that those three clubs had spent some money to organize themselves for the previous competition which unfortunately was cancelled.
The Chairman insisted on his proposal so Sankara FC and FC Tamale recused themselves from the balloting to avoid being part of an illegality. After the balloting (which we still do not accept as legitimate), Great Amphibians, Africaid Wizzkids United and Young Zobzia were (not based on sporting merits) selected to participate in the 2019/2020 Edition which was also truncated due to Covid-19.3. This time around, when we raised the matter they brought a letter signed by the general secretary , directing them to allow the the teams that participated the mtn fa cup through balloting should be allowed to take part in this year’s mtn Fa cup competition.
The balloting procedure which was use to select those teams is not based on sporting merit and we think it infringes on the very core of the sprite of fair play. We are of the believe that it abnormal, unsporting, unfair and unacceptable in an environment of fair play and merits based competitions.
4. It is our position that this time the right for procedure which is guided by the principle of precedent, Rules and Regulations should be applied in the selection of Regional Representatives.
Obviously, there has not been any 2nd Division League organized in the Region after the Anas expose and therefore it is only fair (since the game is about fair play) to allow the three clubs who took part in the 2017/2018 Edition to be given the opportunity to represent the Region this time. It is also worth noting that there has not been promotion and relegation because the leagues at all levels have not been organized.
The ‘status quo’ remains as existed before the expose and for that matter and by all standards should be the guiding principle in determining who must take part in this season’s competition. In orders words , we should revert back to the last league played and those team who were qualified to participate In the mtn fa cup. It is on fair to do that.
The Ghana FA announced that the MTN FA Cup competition will come off in the last week of April 2021 despite broader consultation with clubs.
