Government calls FIFA for meeting over GFA impasse

Government has extended an invitation to football’s world-governing body, FIFA, for a meeting “at our earliest convenience” to find a way out over the recent developments regarding the administration of football in Ghana.

This was contained in a letter written by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah, in response to an earlier letter written by FIFA’s Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, communicating a decision by the Bureau of FIFA Council at its August 11 meeting.

In the letter addressed to the Head of the Liaison Team, Dr Kofi Amoah, FIFA directed the government to withdraw its law suit at an Accra High Court, failure of which the Ghana Football Association (GFA) would be banned from the global body.

But in his response, Mr Asiamah said there appears to be an agreement between the two parties.

“It is our understanding that FIFA remains committed to purging football administration in Ghana of corruption and related criminal conduct, which objective is in accord with that of the GoG.”

He, therefore, said a meeting for further engagements must be held.

“We believe that GoG and FIFA should meet at our earliest convenience to explore a mutually acceptable route to achieving our common goal.”

The impasse follows the airing of an exposé by Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas in June.

The investigative piece showed former GFA President and other officials of the GFA engaged in bribery and corruption.

Mr Asiamah said the government has the full support of Ghanaians as the issues touch the navel of the fight of the incumbent government – corruption.

“Ghana recognises the mandate of FIFA to administer football globally,” the Minister’s letter observed.

“GoG is not interested in interfering with the administration of football in Ghana , save to enforce its domestic laws and to ensure that the game is devoid of corruption and other forms of illegality.”

Already, the exposé has seen the resignation of the then GFA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, and the dissolution of the GFA, which appears not to have gone down well with FIFA.