GFA, Avram Grant And Anti-Semitism

The president of Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwasi Nyantakyi at a press conference on Friday (11/7/14) named Avram Grant (Grant), the experienced Israeli coach, as the most preferred choice for the Black Stars job. Nyantakyi said the interview panel was impressed with the output of Grant and would appoint him if salary negotiations with the former Chelsea boss went well.

But even before the GFA will take a final decision, media reports claim the fact that Grant holds an Israeli passport may hinder his work. Israel has been in a protracted diplomatic row with Palestine and other North African countries with the critics claiming, Grant may not be given visas to these countries if he were to be appointed as Ghana coach.

It is very significant to note that GFA is not worried at all about the nationality of Coach Grant as its spokesperson, Ibrahim Saanie Daara, had dismissed the assertion on grounds that GFA never had an issue with the nationality or the passport of Grant. Daara said “the GFA is a signatory to FIFA rules and regulations which respect the nationality, race and ethnicity of all its members or persons appointed by the members…….in the case of Avram Grant, he even has an Iraqi mother, which means he "satisfies both ends of the divide."

While the critics are entitled to their opinions, any attempt by the GFA to give in to their campaign may not exempt Ghana from the consequences of its actions - be dragooned into others campaign of hate and discrimination. In the case of Grant, Ghana will be guilty of the kind of invidious discrimination commonly referred to as Anti-Semitism – prejudice against, hatred of or discrimination against Jews as a national, ethnic, religious or racial group. Anti-Semitism is generally considered a form of racism.

In the US, H.RES.707 for the 113th Congress (2013-2014) unequivocally condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and rejects attempts to justify anti-Jewish hatred or violent attacks as an acceptable expression of disapproval or frustration over political events in the Middle East or elsewhere and urges the Secretary of State to among other things maintain combating anti-Semitism as a United States foreign policy priority. The UN also took important measures in the fight against anti-Semitism. One was a June 2004 seminar on Anti-Semitism hosted by then Secretary-General Kofi Annan which called for the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance, explicitly including anti-Semitism. Thus the action will receive outright condemnation from respectable individuals, countries and international organizations. It is critical that GFA stays on course to appoint Grant as the coach for the Black Stars and not be intimidated by anybody since the consequences are many and damagingly disastrous. One such effect will include expensive lawsuit by Grant against Ghana on grounds of debilitating psycho-social damage to his psyche resulting in his feeling of unworthiness with advancement opportunities turning elusive thus compelling him to fall into a rut of depression. The action may also lead to a flood of lawsuits by non-performing coaches whose appointment may be terminated by Ghana who will cite Grant’s case as a precedent that Ghanaians are noted for dismissing coaches on grounds of racism or ethnicity.

Discrimination contradicts a basic principle of human rights: that all people are equal in dignity and entitled to the same fundamental rights. It violates Human Rights legislation and is not tolerated by the International Labor Organization and FIFA. These organizations may institute disciplinary actions such as a fine, reprimand, suspension, expulsion or dismissal against Ghana.

News of our action will spread very fast and can hurt our already tarnished public image (following our improper pecuniary mishap at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil) and lead to backlashes with others having affinity to Grant shunning Ghana. This will have a direct negative impact on our stand in the international community. Ghana will end up being isolated as many members of society who disagree with the action may distance themselves from and make a stand against us for victimizing Grant.

Referees who sympathize with Grant will find a way to get us out of competitions. Ghana will then have limited options to seek redress from such open bias against us. Individual Ghanaian players will be at the mercy of already racially biased European fans that is if they can even get the chance to be picked up by any of the big teams.

In effect, Ghana stands to lose big time if GFA makes the wrong decision in the selection of Grant as the coach for the Black Stars.

OPANIN KWABENA MENSAH

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