Ghana FA finally names arbitrator after CAS warning over Palmer case

The Ghana Football Association has finally named Hendrik Willem Kesler for its legal showdown against Wilfred Osei Kwaku "Palmer" at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), GHANAsoccernet.com can report.

The Ghanaian federation named the Switzerland international lawyer to arbitrate on the long-standing legal tussle with the disqualified aspirant.

The FA finally complied after CAS ordered the governing body to name the arbitrator to set the tone for the adjudication of the matter.

Palmer has also named highly-rated Australian John Didulica, who is a former member of the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber as the arbitrator for his team.

The international quasi-judicial body is also expected to nominate an arbitrator to sit on the long pending case.

Palmer dragged the Ghana FA to CAS over his 'unfair' disqualification from the presidential race in October last year.

CAS agreed with Palmer and ordered FIFA to file its defence in the case which the Tema Youth owner was thrown out of the Ghana FA election race.

Disqualified GFA presidential aspirant, Mr Wilfred Kweku Osei (Palmer), is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to get his disqualification overturned to enable him to contest for the highest position in Ghana football.

He suspects several officials of the then- Normalisation Committee who were appointed conspired against him to kick him out of the race and has even filed Ethics Committee cases against the quartet.

Winfred Osei Palmer and his team of lawyers unambiguously state that, on the account on the infringement of the above article, further exposes former Normalisation Committee boss Dr. Amoah to the thumping on Abuse of Office, Confidentiality and Duty of loyalty required from him.

Winfred Osei Kwaku "Palmer" was disqualified from contesting from the next Ghana Football Association General Election for failing to settle the 10% for the transfer of Joseph Paintsil to GFA.

In a three page letter written to FIFA through the Investigatory Chamber of the federation, Dr. Kofi Amoah was cited to have breached Article 13, (2), (3) and (4) of General Duties where he is said to have been heard in an audio engaging in activities that undermines the integrity of his office bestowed him by FIFA.

Mr John Didulica, who is the arbitrator for team Palmer is the Chief Executive of Professional Footballers Australia; Chair of North Geelong Warriors Football Club; Former Director of Football & General Counsel at Melbourne City Football Club; Former legal counsel to Football Federation Australia; Former member of the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber; former professional footballer.

He holds Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne.