GFA would not be intimidated - Ben Koufie

Mr Ben Koufie, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has said he would not allow his administration to be intimidated by anybody or group of people to satisfy their own selfish ends.

In a statement, Mr Koufie said football in Ghana would be administered on the basis of internationally accepted principles advocated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), the continental and world governing bodies to which GFA was affiliated.

He said the GFA has noticed a chain of events including clubs refusing with impunity to release their players for national duty whiles violence was showing its head at training grounds of reputable clubs and supporters demonstrating against the decision of the GFA Disciplinary Committee, whereas it was not the first time it has penalised a club for flouting the rules.

Mr Koufie said football was managed by rules enacted by the clubs themselves during their annual congress and these rules would be interpreted without fear or favour.

He said, even though, currently football in country was going through a difficult phase, his administration was still in control of issues as it was in talks with law enforcing organs to stamp out hooliganism.

He said measures to be taken would include the closure of stadiums, where violence would be recorded and culprits arrested would be prosecuted at the law courts.

Mr Koufie continued that known hooligans would not be allowed to enter the stadiums to ensure the safety of football loving fans. He said his administration was committed to restoring the dented image of the game as a result of the May 9 disaster, which took the life of 126 soccer fans and that there would be no place for hooliganism.

Mr Koufie assured all clubs that they would be dealt with fairly and without bias and sought the understanding and fair play from all.