Give GPL to an independent body - Sam Johnson tells GFA

Former Ghanaian midfielder Samuel Johnson has called for an independent institution to manage the Ghana Premier League.

Johnson, who was affectionately known as Foyoo during his heydey, held that in the wake of clubs’ inability to pay their players in time and the right amount, he thinks if an independent body is responsible for the management of the league, things will be in order to get the best from our players.

Speaking on Happy FM’s Anopa Bosuo Sports, Sam Johnson asserted that, “we must get an independent body to run our league; both for the premier and the lower division. In this case, the independent body can ensure that the right salaries are paid, and on time".

"We have good players but because they are not paid well, they are not motivated enough to play and hence their performances dwindle abysmally. This is the reason our players move to any country in search of greener pasture, which eventually destroys their career”.

He stressed that if the Premier League is given to experts to run, clubs will act more professionally and will not put up behaviour that will put the image of the league into disrepute.

He cited the incident where Aduana Stars supporters resisted StarTimes to telecast their Premier League game against Kotoko.

“When Aduana stopped StarTimes from televising their game against Kotoko, what punishment were they given? That GHc 20,500 fine is not punitive enough but if they were banned for six or eight home matches, they wouldn’t do that next time".

'Because the Premier League Board is made of the clubs themselves, their decisions are affected by the mutuality of friendships hence, if an independent body is instituted to enforce strict and severe punishment on the clubs, the violence will cease”. Foyoo advocated.

He congratulated Ghanaian coaches for their ability to lead and manage our local club whose players do not have the mental, social and financial stability to play football. “I will congratulate our local coaches who are able to manage these players who are not sound financially to get the best out of them”. He added.