Akufo-Addo phones FIFA President Infantino over looming ban

Ghana leader Nana Akufo Addo has phoned FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a desperate bid to avoid a global ban on the country for governmental interference in football.

Mr Addo phoned the leader of world's football governing body on Wednesday just 24 hours after FIFA fired a warning to government over its activities on the local federation.

FIFA said that Ghana will be banned on August 27 if the decision dissolve the Ghana FA is not withdrawn from court, sparking a political frenzy in the country.

Government’s petition to the High Court court to dissolve the Ghana FA came following Anas Aremeyaw Anas' documentary on corruption in Ghana football which captured top FA officials and referees taking bribes to influence the outcome of certain games.

On Monday, August 13, 20018, FIFA wrote to the Government of Ghana to withdraw the petition to dissolve the Ghana FA from court by August 27 or an international ban will be handed to Ghana for government interference.

With Nana Addo sensing that it could prove to be a hot political disaster for him if the country is banned, he phoned Infantino in a bid to avoid a ban.

The Ghana government and has started engagements to finalise arrangements that will see the continuation of football activities in the country.

This was agreed by both parties for the purpose of finding common measures to resolve the recent challenges facing the football administration in Ghana.

In the documentary, some referees were seen to be taking a bribe with the then Ghana Football Association president, Kwesi Nyantakyi found in a compromising position.

Mr Nyantakyi who is under police investigations subsequently resigned from his post both in Ghana and FIFA.

Government's move was part of its measures of wiping out corruption from football administration in the country.

However, FIFA notified government in a letter dated August 13, of its disagreement for government to liquidate the Association stating that it is an act of undue influence in the affair of the GFA contrary to Article 14 Paragraph 1(i) and Article 19 Paragraph 1 of FIFA statutes.

Both government and FIFA are of the view that the infractions exposed in the documentary which saw some officials of the GFA and administrators of football involved in widespread corruption, bribery, match-fixing and other forms of illegality should be dealt with.

But, government believes that the GFA as constituted is not fit for purpose because of the actions of its leadership and members thus should be dissolved to allow for the constitution of a new body that will see oversee the administration of football in the country.

FIFA, on the other hand, does not agree in government’s decision to liquidate the GFA emphasising on the ban of the GFA boss which is temporarily pending further investigation and substantive action.

Government and FIFA upon agreement will meet on Thursday at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich to explore means by which they can finalize arrangements on a mutually acceptable route for the final and phase of resolving the observed infractions in football administration in Ghana.

Government determined to clean up the unethical and criminal acts reported in Ghana football and will not renerge on all legal efforts to achieve this objective.