Kotoku Royals have climbed to the summit of the Division One League Zone Three after winning points from the board room following their protest against Hearts of Lions.

Hearts of Lions have been deducted points for fielding an unqualified player in their game against Kotoku Royals in March this year.

A verdict from the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association has ruled that Abdul Mohammed Musah was an unqualified player when he featured for Hearts of Lions in the said game at Oda on 20th March this year.

Kotoko Royals have thus been awarded three points and three goals in the said match taking them to the summit of the league.

They have now leapfrogged Tema Youth and Liberty Professionals on 56 points whiles the two Liberty and Tema Youth both have 55 points with four game to spare.

"That the protest filed by Kotoku Royals FC shall succeed. That having been found to have forfeited the match, Heart of Lions FC shall be considered as having lost the match in accordance with Articles 33(2) and 34(12) and accordingly, three points and three (3) goals are hereby awarded in favour of Kotoku Royals FC, part of the ruling read

"That in addition, being the defaulting club, Heart of Lions FC shall lose three (3) points from the club’s accumulated points from their previous matches pursuant to Article 33(5)(a) of the Division One League Regulations.

"That in addition, being the defaulting club, Heart of Lions FC is hereby fined Two Thousand and Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢2,500.00) payable to the GFA, 50% of which shall be paid to Kotoku Royals FC pursuant to Article 33(5)(b) of the Division One League Regulations.

"That the fines mentioned above, shall be paid to the GFA within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of this Ruling, failing which Heart of Lions FC shall forfeit their subsequent matches after the said deadline.

"That should any party be dissatisfied with or aggrieved by this Decision, the party has within one (1) day of being notified of this Ruling to appeal to the Appeals Committee of the Ghana Football Association."

Hearts of Lions in their defence admitted that the player was suspended for which they were duly notified but they unintentionally selected the player and could not change it due to challenges with internet connection before kick off.