Ben Koufie denies story

Accra, Oct. 3, GNA - Mr Ben Koufie, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said he is surprised and shocked at a front-page story in an Accra bi-weekly sports paper, The Graphic Sports, which quoted him as saying "the perception that the soccer authorities are acting against Hearts of Oak, is the results of poor work done by the Okudjeto Commission". He denied ever making such a comment in an interview with the Graphic reporter in the USA adding that what he actually said was that it was ridiculous for anybody to imagine that government was manipulating the FA to undermine any club in the country as claimed by Hearts.

The GFA boss wondered how the same reporter could twist the story in the Graphic Sports after reporting the correct interview in the Monday, September 29, edition of the Daily Graphic. Mr Koufie spoke to the reporter while in the USA over a planned demonstration by Hearts fans in Ghana who accused the FA of selective justice against their club. "There is a calculated plan to damage my image so that I will incur the displeasure of government to be re-nominated for a second term in office", he told the GNA Sports in Accra on Friday. The GFA boss said the story and many others have no foundation but are aimed at damaging his hard-earned reputation as a former player, coach and an administrator. The Chairman who initially was not sure of accepting a second term in office said, "because of this, I will accept the nod if government nominates me for a second term. I'm not a defeatist".

Four Hearts fans were jailed by a Madina court recently for ripping off the plastic chairs at the May 9 Stands at the Accra Sports Stadium during an emotionally charged premier league match between Hearts and Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium, which ended 1-1. Apparently angered by the jail sentences imposed on their colleagues, the Phobian fans hit the streets to demonstrate against GFA for a perceived injustice.