PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
FIFA, Ghana gov't agree interim measures for continuation
Accra, Ghana (PANA) - FIFA, the world football governing body, in consultation with the government of Ghana, has resolved to put in place interim measures to allow for the continuation of football in Ghana.
This is the outcome of a meeting between officials of FIFA and government of Ghana in Accra on Friday.
A joint statement signed by Véron Mosengo-Omba, FIFA Director for Africa and the Caribbean and Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Ghana's minister of information said: “Both FIFA and the Ghanaian government have a zero tolerance for corruption, criminality and all other forms of illegality,”
The statement said Ghana had the right to enforce its national laws against criminal conduct and illegality.
The statement added that Ghana government would continue discussions with FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland, for the purpose of finalising interim arrangements regarding football in Ghana.
The FIFA delegation was in Ghana to discuss the future of football in the West African country after the recent documentary that exposed the rot in the sport.
The Ghana government a week ago announced the setting up of a 5-member committee to manage the West African country's football after the High Court granted a 10-day injunction on the activities of the GFA following a screening of the documentary.
The committee will oversee the “administration of football and other related matters” while more permanent measures are worked out to "sanitise" the local game.
The members of the committee are Dr. Kofi Amoah, who is the chairperson, Cudjoe Fianoo, Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) as Secretary, Abedi Pele, former captain of the senior national football team, the Black Stars, Rev Osei Kofi, former player of the Black Stars, and Eva Okyere, a sports journalist. Government's move has been criticised by people in the management of football in the country and Mr Fianoo has opted out of the committee.
The government has said it would keep engaging with FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the way forward for Ghana football.
The High Court in Accra last week placed an interim injunction on the activities of the GFA for 10 days. The order of the court bars the GFA and its officials from carrying out all official duties during the period.
These include the organization of football matches, selling of the association’s assets, appointment and election of officials and other official duties.
The Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, said in court that GFA was being used for "illegal purposes" and it was therefore necessary to protect the public.
The Government earlier filed a petition at the High Court for the dissolution of the GFA following its statement that it was taking steps to dissolve the association after the video by Anas exposed deep corruption in football.
Nyantakyi has since been banned by FIFA from all football activities for 90 days. He has also resigned from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) where he was First Vice President and FIFA executive Council member.
-0- PANA MA 23June2018
This is the outcome of a meeting between officials of FIFA and government of Ghana in Accra on Friday.
A joint statement signed by Véron Mosengo-Omba, FIFA Director for Africa and the Caribbean and Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Ghana's minister of information said: “Both FIFA and the Ghanaian government have a zero tolerance for corruption, criminality and all other forms of illegality,”
The statement said Ghana had the right to enforce its national laws against criminal conduct and illegality.
The statement added that Ghana government would continue discussions with FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland, for the purpose of finalising interim arrangements regarding football in Ghana.
The FIFA delegation was in Ghana to discuss the future of football in the West African country after the recent documentary that exposed the rot in the sport.
The Ghana government a week ago announced the setting up of a 5-member committee to manage the West African country's football after the High Court granted a 10-day injunction on the activities of the GFA following a screening of the documentary.
The committee will oversee the “administration of football and other related matters” while more permanent measures are worked out to "sanitise" the local game.
The members of the committee are Dr. Kofi Amoah, who is the chairperson, Cudjoe Fianoo, Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) as Secretary, Abedi Pele, former captain of the senior national football team, the Black Stars, Rev Osei Kofi, former player of the Black Stars, and Eva Okyere, a sports journalist. Government's move has been criticised by people in the management of football in the country and Mr Fianoo has opted out of the committee.
The government has said it would keep engaging with FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the way forward for Ghana football.
The High Court in Accra last week placed an interim injunction on the activities of the GFA for 10 days. The order of the court bars the GFA and its officials from carrying out all official duties during the period.
These include the organization of football matches, selling of the association’s assets, appointment and election of officials and other official duties.
The Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, said in court that GFA was being used for "illegal purposes" and it was therefore necessary to protect the public.
The Government earlier filed a petition at the High Court for the dissolution of the GFA following its statement that it was taking steps to dissolve the association after the video by Anas exposed deep corruption in football.
Nyantakyi has since been banned by FIFA from all football activities for 90 days. He has also resigned from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) where he was First Vice President and FIFA executive Council member.
-0- PANA MA 23June2018
