July 24 – Ghana could be the latest African country to face being sanctioned by FIFA after the government announced a three-member commission to look into the activities of the national team. FIFA has written to the Ghana FA over moves to investigate the Black Stars’ poor performance on the pitch – and disputes off it – at the World Cup in Brazil.
“We have learnt from media reports that the Presidency of the Republic of Ghana has appointed a Committee of Enquiry and Investigation into the Black Stars’ participation to the 2014 FIFA World cup in Brazil,” Markus Kattner, FIFA deputy general secretary, wrote.
“The composition and the competences of the said Commission are unclear. Provided the reports are true we deem it important to clarify from the beginning the procedures and to ensure that the GFA can operate without interference as required by FIFA statutes. Under this circumstance we kindly ask you to provide us with a report at your earliest convenience.”
The four-time African champions failed to make it out of the group stages and had their campaign blighted by several off-the-field incidents including appearance money rows and arguments between players and officials.
Ghana could be banned – as Nigeria recently briefly were – if FIFA takes the view that its rules over government interference in the administration of the game is being breached.
“We will be making an official response to the FIFA letter sometime this week,” Ghana FA spokesman Ibrahim Sannie Daara was quoted as saying. “The GFA President has had talks with the Sports Minister to reach an understanding on the work of the commission before we brief FIFA accordingly.
“It is important that we are on the same page with government to avoid any further problems with FIFA. Let it be clear that the GFA is to open to any investigation and we must do it in such a way that it would not attract any sanctions from FIFA. I am confident we will find the right balance to ensure that everything is perfect.”
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