PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Ghana clubs lift football suspension
Accra, Ghana (PANA) – Ghanaian football clubs on Monday lifted their suspension of all football-related activities after the Ghana Football Association (GFA) reopened its offices to end a stand-off with the country's anti-graft agency that raided its offices last Tuesday.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Monday returned the computers and documents it took away in the raid as it investigated suspected tax and financial irregularities.
The GFA cried foul at the raid and promptly reported the case the world football governing body, FIFA, which issued a stern warning and a deadline of 12 December to the government to stop meddling in football administration.
However, the government dissociated itself from the raid saying it had no hand in it, pointing out that the EOCO was carrying out its normal duties.
EOCO returned the computers and documents last Wednesday, but the GFA officials were not present to receive them, as their offices were closed. The anti-graft agency returned the computers and documents on Monday evening.
The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) said they were lifting the suspension of football-related activities because of FIFA’s warning and the fact that GFA had sued EOCO in court over the matter.
Emmanuel Adotey, GHALCA Chairman, said: “If we fail to lift the ban it will also mean we will be contravening FIFA’s order. They (EOCO) took away computers which contained the various documents for organizing the league. Following the FIFA warning, the offices of the GFA are now open and we are hopeful the computers will be returned.
“There has been dialogue behind the scenes and we are hoping that a decision will be reached soon.”
The decision reached at an Executive meeting of GHALCO on Monday paves the way for the kick-off of the FA Cup competition and honouring of the final match of the first half of the Premier League as well as continuation of lower division leagues.
GHALCA suspended all football-related activities last Wednesday after the EOCO raided the GFA with a warrant to search, seize and obtain document for their investigation into issues related to crime and tax evasion.
-0- PANA MA 13Dec2010
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Monday returned the computers and documents it took away in the raid as it investigated suspected tax and financial irregularities.
The GFA cried foul at the raid and promptly reported the case the world football governing body, FIFA, which issued a stern warning and a deadline of 12 December to the government to stop meddling in football administration.
However, the government dissociated itself from the raid saying it had no hand in it, pointing out that the EOCO was carrying out its normal duties.
EOCO returned the computers and documents last Wednesday, but the GFA officials were not present to receive them, as their offices were closed. The anti-graft agency returned the computers and documents on Monday evening.
The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) said they were lifting the suspension of football-related activities because of FIFA’s warning and the fact that GFA had sued EOCO in court over the matter.
Emmanuel Adotey, GHALCA Chairman, said: “If we fail to lift the ban it will also mean we will be contravening FIFA’s order. They (EOCO) took away computers which contained the various documents for organizing the league. Following the FIFA warning, the offices of the GFA are now open and we are hopeful the computers will be returned.
“There has been dialogue behind the scenes and we are hoping that a decision will be reached soon.”
The decision reached at an Executive meeting of GHALCO on Monday paves the way for the kick-off of the FA Cup competition and honouring of the final match of the first half of the Premier League as well as continuation of lower division leagues.
GHALCA suspended all football-related activities last Wednesday after the EOCO raided the GFA with a warrant to search, seize and obtain document for their investigation into issues related to crime and tax evasion.
-0- PANA MA 13Dec2010
