The already relegated team fielded an unregistered squad in their second-to-last game against the Still Believe lads at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu, where they suffered an 8-1 defeat.

The incident occurred after RTU’s registered players boycotted the match due to unpaid salaries and bonuses for six months.

RTU was found guilty of conduct that brought the game into disrepute, violating Section 34(6)(d) of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Premier League Regulations.

In addition to the fine, the club officials who led the team for the match against Dreams FC have been banned for 12 months, effective immediately.

These officials include Coach Iddi Manzah Alhassan, Team Doctor Abdul-Samed Iddrisu, Team Manager Tanko Jentumah, Equipment Officer Abdul-Gafaru Salifu, and Goalkeepers’ Trainer Sylvester Yaw Apanka.

RTU will compete in the Division One League next season following their relegation.

However, it remains unclear how the team will participate in the second tier, as many players, including captain Baba Kushibo, have left for other clubs. Kushibo recently signed with Samartex.

On Wednesday afternoon, RTU played their Matchday 28 fixture by travelling to the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu to face Dreams FC.

Despite scoring first, RTU suffered a heavy 8-1 defeat.

Post-match investigations revealed that, RTU had fielded unqualified players, presenting them as registered players for the fixture.

The GFA Disciplinary Committee has accused RTU of misconduct, specifically for deceiving match officials and fielding unqualified players.

“Real Tamale United have been charged with a breach of Section 34(6)(d) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, 2019, following their Ghana Premier League game against Dreams FC. It is alleged that the club intentionally deceived the match officials by using unregistered players to impersonate officially registered players of their club, which constitutes misconduct and brings the name of the game into disrepute,” the GFA Disciplinary Committee stated.

RTU has until Friday, June 14, 2024, to respond to these charges.

Full statement below:

In a rescheduled matchday 28 game at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu on Wednesday, the “Still Believe” lads secured an 8-1 victory.

Following the match, it was revealed that the players RTU used were unregistered.

RTU’s regular players boycotted the game due to six months of unpaid wages.

This forced RTU’s Chief Executive Zakaria Safianu to reportedly recruit players from Division Two sides Galaxy FC and another unidentified team.

Adding to the controversy, the player credited with RTU’s only goal, Lord Adabo, did not even travel to Dawu.

Speaking to Promise Radio, Lord Adabo said, “I am not the player who scored the RTU goal against Dreams FC today. I am currently in Tamale and did not play any game today. I’ve seen on social media that I scored a goal, but all I can say is that there’s only one Adabo in RTU and I’m in Tamale.”

RTU took the lead in the fourth minute, but Dreams FC quickly equalized through Agyenim Boateng Mensah, who went on to score five goals in total.

Forward Benjamin Bature also contributed significantly, netting two goals, while Dede Ishmael added another to complete the 8-1 rout.

The use of unregistered players has sparked outrage among fans and officials.

Meanwhile, the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has charged Real Tamale United with misconduct.

Peter Amidu scored around the hour mark, and Bernard Somuah added a second goal four minutes to the end of the game, sealing RTU’s fate and ending their three-year tenure in the top division.

RTU, currently at the bottom of the league table with 31 points, is nine points shy of the safety zone with two matches left in the 2023/24 season.

RTU has an outstanding match against Dreams FC before concluding their season against Great Olympics.

As for Asante Kotoko, the win moves them to 8th place. They will face already relegated Bofoakwa Tano in their final match of the season.

This decision comes in response to criminal assaults on Match Officials by home supporters during the Premier League match between Real Tamale United Football Club and Medeama Sporting Club on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

The match concluded with a 1-0 victory for the home team.

The decision aligns with Article 14(2) of the GFA Premier League Regulations, which empowers the GFA to order the closure of any league center where the safety of clubs, Match Officials, or Spectators cannot be guaranteed.

The Competitions Department is instructed to determine the venue for the Club’s subsequent home matches in accordance with Article 14(3) of the Premier League Regulations.

It’s important to note that this order does not prejudge the case pending before the Disciplinary Committee, which has been charged to hear the case in accordance with relevant regulations.

The GFA condemns the unacceptable conduct of Victory Club Warriors’ home team supporters and acknowledges the violations of GFA Safety and Security Regulations and Premier League Regulations during the match.

GFA Prosecutors will examine video evidence and match reports to bring appropriate charges promptly, with the Disciplinary Committee addressing the matter expeditiously.

Real Tamale United FC is required to cooperate with the Regional Police to apprehend individuals involved in the attack on match officials, as pledged during engagements with the leadership of the Ghana Police Service.

The Competitions Department is directed to determine venues for Real Tamale United FC’s upcoming home matches until the case is resolved, considering the distance to be traveled by away teams (matches may be scheduled at the away team’s home if necessary).

All clubs are reminded to strictly adhere to Safety & Security Regulations and the GFA Disciplinary Code.

The GFA issues a stern warning to all members, particularly clubs, emphasizing severe and swift consequences for any harassment or attack on Players, Team Officials, Match Officials, or any incitement to violence.

Zero tolerance for violence and incitement is e

RTU hosted Hearts of Oak at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in the opener of the campaign in the matchday one fixtures.

The home side started the game very well but could not find the back of the net to end the first half of the game goalless.

After recess, Hearts of Oak, who had intense preseason pushed for the equaliser but the home team’s defense proved to be too strong to break down.

Late in added time, Real Tamale United stunned the visitors when Owusu Afriyie headed home from a corner kick to seal the win for the home side.

It is the first game of the season and the first defeat of the season for the Phobians.

New head coach, Martin Koopman will be returning to Accra with his lads empty-handed to prepare for the next round of games.

RTU will travel to Sunyani to play Bofoakwa Tano as Hearts of Oak host Nsoatreman FC all in the matchday two games next weekend.

Perez was appointed the club’s CEO back in September 2021 following their promotion to the Ghana Premier League prior to the 2021/22 season.

However, after just a year in charge of the club, the former RTU player has tendered his resignation letter to the Tamale-based side, with his decision set to take effect on September 5.

According to him, the remaining days in charge is to help him ‘do proper handing over’.

“It is with a heavy heart that I do so though,” Perez said in a press release.

RTU escaped relegation from the Premier League last season, finishing 15th on the league table with 41 points.