Techiman Eleven Wonders have filed a petition at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) following the local football governing body’s announcement of a play-off to find a replacement for demoted AshantiGold in the Ghana Premier League.
The GFA on Sunday July 17 announced there will be a play-off between the three second-placed clubs in Division One League, Liberty Professionals, Ebusua Dwarfs, and Tamale City, with the winner taking AshantiGold’s place.
But Eleven Wonders, relegated last season after finishing third from bottom, believe they “should gain the advantage of moving up the league table after Ashgold demotion.”
“This is because Ashgold were allowed to participate in all 34 matches covering the 2021- 2022 seasons and therefore had direct influence and impact on the league table. Therefore, the decision by the FA to demote Ashgold automatically translates into the fact that Ashgold have been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2021- 2022 season. Per the Regulations of the GFA, ONLY 3 Premier Clubs at the bottom of the league table (relegation zone) would be further be DEMOTED to the 1st DIVISION.”
“Article 7(2) of the GFA Regulations, 2019 has made the provision so clear that ONLY 3 premier CLUBS at the end of the season would be demoted and only 3 to be promoted from the 1st Division clubs. Per the GFA’s own decision, Ashgold were to be DEMOTED at the end of the league season. Meaning, we needed only 2 more clubs from the Premier to join them at the end of the season and not 3 more as per the position of the Law. The same way, we cannot also promote 4 more clubs to the Premier as the law stipulates.”
“At the END OF THE COMPETITION, the LAST THREE (3) CLUBS on THE LEAGUE TABLE shall be automatically demoted to the DIVISION ONE LEAGUE. The champion club from each of the three Zones in the Division One League shall automatically be promoted to replace the DEMOTED clubs in the Premier League.”
“Consequently, 11 Wonders do not and cannot form part of the bottom 3 clubs on the Premier league table after week 34 standings coupled with the fact that Ashgold have been punished and duly demoted.”
By Enoch Fiifi Forson|3news.com|Ghana