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Soccer News of Monday, 15 October 2001

Source: Accra Mail

Twist in the "Charles Taylor Yellow Card Saga""

Reports reaching The Accra Mail indicate that there has been a new twist in the "Charles Taylor yellow card saga" which is currently before the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Disciplinary Committee.

A source close to one of the parties involved in the case alleged that the match commissioner, Mr. Mike Afidzie who presided over the 18th week fixture between Accra Hearts of Oak and Obuasi Goldfielsds coerced the referee to alter his report.

A referee who handled the league match between Hearts and Goldfields according to a source was approached by the match commissioner to doctor his (referee) report to favour Hearts of Oak by booking Charles Allotey instead of Charles Taylor for fouling a Goldfield player.

The GFA Disciplinary Committee last week failed to rule on the protest brought against league champions, Accra Hearts of Oak by Kumasi Asante Kotoko for fielding an unqualified player when the two sides played in Kumasi some weeks ago.

Asante Kotoko claims that the affected player, Charles Taylor received his third yellow card in a league match against Obuasi Goldfields thereby rendering him ineligible to play against Kotoko.

The match officials failed to honour a summons by the Disciplinary Committee at the initial hearing. Last week, after almost three hours of submissions, cross-examinations and viewing of video evidence submitted by Kumasi Asante Kotoko, The Accra Mail has established that there was some startling revelations which prompted the Disciplinary Committee to investigate issues resulting in the postponement of the ruling today. However, the legal counsel of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Mr. Larry Otoo told the press he is very optimistic about the outcome of the case.

Expected to appear before the Disciplinary Committee today are the match commissioner, Mike Afidzie, referee Essel, counsel for both Kotoko and Hearts, Messrs Larry Otoo and Ernest Thompson and some officials from both sides.

The GFA byelaws and regulations stipulate that a team that fields an unqualified player in a match loses three points. Hearts is currently on top of the league table with 55 points followed by Kumasi Asante Kotoko with 45 points.