Ghana reported to Fifa over governmental intrusion

 

Ghana football is facing an international ban after a leading sports journalist in the country reported the country to Fifa, claiming that the government is interfering in the administration of the sport.

Ebo Quansah, the former president of sports writers in the country, wrote to the world governing body over recent events in the country.

It has been confirmed that Fifa has received the letter.

Fifa banned Nigeria from international football this week over government intrusion and Quansah has asked Sepp Blatter to investigate the events.

The former SWAG boss claims that the quest by Serious Fraud Office (SFO), government body to investigate sponsorships acquired by the Ghana FA (GFA) is governmental interference.

The alleged request by government operatives to seek the removal on the GFA board of Randy Abbey and JY Appiah to be replaced by sympathizers of the ruling NDC party is another form of invasion by the government.

The pressure, according to Quansah, went an octave higher after President Atta Mills returned from Switzerland where he met Fifa boss, with Koku Anyidoho, government spokesman, claiming they have been given the right to investigate the GFA.

“I have written to the FIFA President, as a Ghanaian and former President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana, to kindly throw more light on what actually transpired between his office and the President of the Republic of Ghana,” Quansah said.

“I cannot believe that FIFA would allow the kind of interference that resulted in the leadership of Ghana football being hauled before the Serious Fraud Office.

“It was the same route that the Government of Ghana took in its impasse with the Ghana Olympic Committee and resulted in this country nearly missing the boat to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.”

Mr. Oteng Arthur, member of the Ghana League Clubs Association, Mr. Jones Abu Alhassan, one-time local manager of maestro Abedi Ayew Pele and Alhaji Mukaila, a regional chairman of the football association and Kojo Bonsu were fingered by Quansah as those behind the plot.

A ban could prevent all football activities in Ghana as the Black Stars and all the national teams will not be allowed to participate in any football event including friendlies.

Ghana football has been on the rise over the past few years but recent development in the country like the late payments of bonuses to the Black Stars lends some credence to worrying developments in the country’s game.

The Ghana government  is yet to respond to claims of interference.