Player who scored own-goals to “stop match-fixing” charged with match-fixing

Daniel Brown

He claims he did so to prevent match-fixing

A Ghanian footballer has been charged with match-fixing and bringing the game into disrepute by the country’s football association after he scored two own goals in order to stop what he suggested was a match-fixed scoreline.

Inter Allies’ Hashmin Musah scored two own goals as the Ghanaian top flight outfit lost 7-0 to Ashanti Gold, with the defender – who came on as a substitute – later telling reporters that the reason he put the ball into his own net was to prevent what he suspected was a pre-arranged 5-1 scoreline.

Musah is one of 18 players, as well as six officials, across both clubs to have been charged with a number of different offences – all of whom have been accused of match-fixing following the game in Obuasi.

Three Inter Allies players have been charged, as well as their head coach, team manager and a club official, whilst 15 players and the president and chief from three-time Ghanaian champions Ashanti Gold are also facing similar disciplinary cases.

Hashmin Musah who scored two own goals in a bid to prevent what he believes was a pre-arranged scoreline in Ghana's top flight has been charged with match-fixing and bringing the game into disrepute by the country's FA. [BBC Sport] pic.twitter.com/MgP9Wco2Yi

— Kyama⚽ (@ElijahKyama_) September 25, 2021

“I heard in our hotel that a bet had been made for a correct scoreline of 5-1 against my club Inter Allies,” Musah revealed to Ghanaian media after the match.

“I decided to spoil that bet because I don’t condone betting. After the game, my technical team commended me for spoiling the bet they had staked.”

The 24-year-old was required to submit his defence by Friday and could potentially be banned from football with the accusations he is facing.

After requesting statements of defence – which are all expected to have been submitted and received by Monday 27 September – the GFA (Ghana Football Association) will adjudicate the mentioned cases.

Speaking on the incident, Ashanti Gold president Kwaku Frimpong told BBC Sport Africa that they ‘have not done anything’.

“We have not done anything bad because we always beat people 4-0, 5-0 or 5-4,” he stated.

“We beat them five and their defender [Musah] scored two himself. I think they have to put the blame on the guy who scored himself because it’s unprecedented.

“So why do we have to blame Ashanti Gold? This is jealousy and they just want to destroy my name. I have not talked to any president or any club. We have done nothing.”

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