The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ordered Tema Youth Football Club to pay the Ghana Football Association (GFA) €150,000 bringing conclusion to a legal dispute over the transfer of winger Joseph Paintsil to Belgian club KRC Genk.
The Black Stars winger joined the Belgium outfit in 2018 from Tema Youth, but there was a dispute over Article 33(5) C of the GFA statutes which relates to the payment of a percentage of all training and transfer fees in respect of external transfers into a football development fund.
The CAS ruling reinforces the GFA’s position established by its Appeals Committee in June 2022.
CAS upheld the GFA’s previous judgment, ordering Tema Youth to make the following payments within 14 days from June 11, 2022: €688,000 to Young Red Bull FC; €150,000 to the GFA and €150,000 to the Ghana League Clubs Association (“GHALCA”).
CAS dismissed all claims brought forth by Tema Youth against Young Red Bull FC and similarly rejected those targeting the GFA.
The club was also ordered to pay to the GFA 4,000 Swiss Francs as a contribution towards its legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration proceedings.
This marks the conclusion of a series of legal proceedings initiated by Tema Youth SC, in which the GFA secured three verdicts at CAS regarding the transfer of the player Joseph Paintsil.
On March 23, 2022, Young Red Bull filed a claim against Tema Youth before the GFA Players’ Status Committee, seeking €778,807 based on the transfer agreement between the two teams related to the transfer of Paintsil.
The GFA Player Status Committee rendered its decision on March 23, 2022, instructing Tema Youth to pay Young Red Bull the outstanding balance within one month.
Following an appeal by Tema Youth, the GFA Appeals Committee reaffirmed the decision on June 11, 2022, directing the club to fulfil its financial obligations.
Tema Youth then filed an appeal with CAS on July 1, 2022, challenging the GFA Appeals Committee Decision.
In two earlier attempts, CAS rejected requests for a Stay of Execution by Tema Youth. The team’s refusal to comply led to further disciplinary actions, including the imposition of point deductions and a potential transfer ban.
The ruling means that Tema Youth SC will continue to incur point deductions for each match played until the outstanding debt to Young Red Bull, GHALCA and the GFA is settled.
Additionally, a transfer ban, both domestically and internationally, will be enforced until full settlement or a mutually agreed upon resolution is reached.
Tema Youth SC had transferred Joseph Paintsil to KRC Genk for a transfer fee of EUR 3,000,000.00.
Source: GraphicOnline
