GFA seeking solutions for passport problems of Grant

Ghana FA says it is working to find a solution to the passport problems of their in-coming Israeli coach Avram Grant who could be denied entry into several Arab countries while he is the coach of the Black Stars.

Grant’s Israeli nationality has meant that an otherwise unremarkable changing of the guard at a struggling African national team could in fact become a political minefield, and has shone a spotlight once again on ongoing disaffection within the Muslim world against citizens of the Jewish state.

Israeli nationals are barred from entering most Arab countries, along with some other Muslim countries such as Iran, since most do not recognize the existence of an independent Jewish state because of its treatment of the people of Palestine.

That could make competing on the international scene tricky for Grant – both in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament as well as any future World Cup and friendly matches.

However the Ghana FA spokesman says they are seeking to find a solution for the passport issues of the ex-Chelsea manager.

“His nationality is the sticking point for us. Some Arab countries have problems with Israelis coming into their country, we raised this point with him [Avram Grant] and he gave us some information I wouldn’t let out,” FA spokesperson Ibrahim Sannie Daara told Starr FM.

“We’re exploring options with government, options with Grant and looking at provisions of Fifa laws.

“Fifa laws state that regardless of your religion or ethnicity, you must be allowed to play official matches. We will only have problems in friendly matches; and even with that we are working with government and Grant for a solution.”

Ghana plays regularly friendlies against countries like Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Egypt, Iran and the rest from the Muslim world.

The awkward situation may be new for Ghanaian soccer fans, but for Israeli sportsmen and women it comes with the territory. Remember what happened to John Paintsil when he waved the Israeli flag while playing for Ghana at the 2006 World Cup.

Citizens of Arab and Muslim states who are bitterly opposed to Israel and because of the plight of the people of Palestine under Israel’s watch – regularly withdraw from matches with Israelis in international tournaments – but even in more “moderate” Arab states disaffection is commonplace.

Earlier this year Dutch soccer club Vitesse left its star defender behind to play a match in Abu Dhabi because he was Israeli.

And it isn’t just soccer. Late last year an Israeli chess team was forced to compete anonymously, also in Abu Dhabi, after being forbidden to compete under the Israeli flag.

Just a month previously, the International Tennis Federation suspended Tunisia from the prestigious Davis Cup after the north African country forced its top tennis player to withdraw from a match with Israel’s Amir Weintraub.

In 2009 Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer was denied entrance into the United Arab Emirates to play in the Dubai tennis championships.