Serbian authorities seize Stevanovic's passport

The Ministry of Interior of Serbia has seized the passport of Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic, Goal.com sources have revealed.

The Serbian is expected in Ghana on Tuesday to face an emergency committee of the Ghana Football Association over his future, but the latest development comes as a big blow to him. Details are sketchy, but strong signals being picked by Goal.com indicate that the seizure of the 45-year-old’s passport was as a result of a diplomatic row between the west African nation and the European country.


Ghana and Serbia are at loggerheads leading to the closure of the diplomatic missions of both countries because the west Africans have recognised Kosovo as a partial independent state, a stance Serbia frowns upon. Although experts in international diplomacy contend the strained relationship between both countries have not gotten to a level to restrict individual travels, others are of the view that the row could be a factor.


Goal.com can confirm that Stevanovic sent a text message to a top official of the Ghana FA informing him about his predicament and has therefore been instructed to put it in writing.


Reports are rife that the coach has been sacked and Tuesday’s meeting was expected to officially inform him of the FA’s decision.

However, Goal.com has learned that although majority of the Ghana FA members are opposed to his stay, the FA president, Kwesi Nyantakyi backs him.


Other local media are reporting that the coach could make it to the shores of the west African nation on Thursday.


The Serbian led Ghana to a fourth-placed finish at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, but local fans are unhappy with that result and have called for his head. **