FIFA threatens to ban Ghana over Gov’t Interference

The world’s football governing body has sent warning to the authorities to abandon an ongoing court case against Ghana FA

Fifa have issued an ultimatum of August 27 to the Ghanaian government to withdraw a court case meant to liquidate the embattled Ghana Football Association.

The authorities imposed an indefinite suspension on all football related activities in the country last June, in the wake of corruption scandals exposed in a documentary produced by undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

In a statement issued on August 13, 2018; and signed by FIFA General-Secretary Fatma Samoura, the body said it was particularly worried about government’s undue interference in the affairs of the GFA in clear contravention to FIFA statutes.

The statement read in part, “Under these circumstances, the Bureau based on article 16 paragraph 1 of the FIFA statutes decided on 11 August 2018 that if the petition to start the liquidation process of the GFA is not withdrawn by Monday, 27 August 2018 at 12h00 (CET), the GFA will be suspended with immediate effect.”

The court action is deemed to be government interference in the sport as the laws of FIFA prohibit governments from interfering in the activities of football federations.

Football in the country came to a halt in June after an Accra High Court granted an application by the Attorney General to enable government dissolve the local football governing body.

The Attorney General headed following an explosive revelation by investigative journalist Anas Armeyaw where some officials and referees were caught on tape taking bribes.

“The suspension would be lifted only once the above-mentioned petition is withdrawn and FIFA is given written proof thereof. In accordance with art‘ 16 per, 3 of the FIFA Statutes, if the GFA were to be suspended, it may not exercise any of its membership rights (Cf. art. 13 of the FIFA Statutes).

“Furthermore, other member associations could not entertain sporting contact with the GFA. We thank you for taking note of the above,” the statement added.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW: