The chairman of the Division One League (DOL) Board, Douglas Djarbeng, has stated that the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA’s) extraordinary congress held on Thursday agreed to increase the number of division one clubs from 48 to 56 for the 2002 season.

This, he said, was aimed at satisfying all aggrieved clubs in respect of demotions to avoid any conflicts which could further delay the competition.

Speaking on the decisions reached at the congress, Djarbeng explained that Mighty Jets who were embroiled in a legal tussle with the GFA were admitted to play the DOL this season while the local soccer controlling body pursues its appeal on the High Court order which asked the FA to reinstate Jets vis-avis the three-year ban slapped on them at the beginning of the season.

He stressed that Jets were admitted subject to the outcome of the appeal and will be made to serve their ban in case the FA wins the case eventually. According to him, another proposal by the FA in consultation with the DOL which was upheld by congress by vote was that there should not be any relegation for the Division One League in the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

He, however, noted that the house agreed to the fact that the number should be reduced to 48 in the 2003 season while resorting to the relegation exercise as well that same year. According to the DOL boss, a decision was also reached to the effect that there should be a novelty one round DOL competition this year.

He hinted that the DOL Board is scheduled to meet representatives of all 56 participating club on Monday to dilate on the mode of competition, whether it should be played on the normal home-and-away basis or otherwise.

On a more refreshing note, he revealed that the FA agreed in principle to pay the participation fees of all clubs, and are even considering topping it up as compensation in view of the long delay. Meanwhile, this year’s league which commences next Sunday, 29 December, will be played on neutral grounds instead of the usual home and away basis.

This decision was reached at a consultative meeting by the DOL Board and some representatives of division one clubs on Monday. According to Djarbeng, majority of the clubs voted in favour of the neutral grounds concept as against the status quo.

He disclosed that apart from Zone 1A where the participating clubs will converge at the Bolga Park for a round-robin, the rest of the clubs in the remaining zone will honour all their matches away.