Match Organiser “Defrauds” GFA

The organiser of the historic Black Stars versus England international friendly match in London last March, Mel Goldberg, is reported to have defrauded the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and travel and tour operators, Bahmed Travel and Tours of more than £100,000.

Mel Goldberg has allegedly failed to honour his side of the pre-match deed of paying the GFA over £70,000 and a refund of £51,000 to Bahmed Travel and Tours. A communication between the GFA and Goldberg chanced upon by GNA Sports indicated that the organiser appeared doggy and at a point in time threatened the FA not to step foot in London else they could be arrested.

“Take notice that if there is any attempt to force your way into either our office or the offices of Coutts and Co. (the bank) the police will be called and you will be arrested. “We suggest you take sensible legal advice before you get locked up and thrown out of the country,” Goldberg said in an e-mail to the FA on May 10, this year.

Goldberg is said at separate times to have sent different messages to indicate that the money has been lodged into the GFA account but all turned out to be lies. The organiser, according to the document seen by GNA Sports is torefund at least, £74,000 to the FA and £51,000 to Bahmed Travel and Tours.

In the case of Bahmed Tours, the company paid for £89,000 worth of tickets but only £38,000 worth was supplied. The last message the GFA accountant sent to Goldberg said, “I just can’t understand the whole show. We at the GFA need only a copy of the transfer advice slip from your bank and nothing else. “Why can’t you get us that slip. All the explanations from your bankers and from you are not acceptable. Just send us the transfer advice and we will do the tracking.”

The GFA and Bahmed Tours are yet to state their next line of action but sources say they may report the matter to the British security authorities for rectification. Ghana held England to a 1-1 draw in the first ever meeting between the two sides at senior level on March 29 at the Wembley stadium.