July 25, 2014

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga, says the government is considering issuing a joint response with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to FIFA.

This will be in response to FIFA’s letter to the GFA inquiring about the Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate Ghana’s poor showing at the 2014 World Cup.

Speaking to Citi News,  Mr Ayariga confirmed that the Ministry has had discussions with the GFA about the implications of the letter from FIFA.

According to him, “the GFA has requested for a week of internal deliberation and will get back to government on the matter next week.”

Mr. Ayariga added that they would reconvene next week when they receive a response from the Ghana Football Association on the government’s request for a joint reply to FIFA.

The Communications Director at the GFA, Ibrahim Sanni Daara, had earlier confirmed to Citi News that the Association had been asked by FIFA to verify media reports they had received that a commission had indeed been set up by the government.

The world football governing body had also asked to be briefed on the powers and function of the commission and did not want to rely on media reports before making any decision.

FIFA is known to resent government interference in football associations.

Ghana would be hoping to avoid a ban from FIFA who have previously suspended several countries who have breached this code.

Nigeria was recently banned from international football for government interference, although the ban has since been lifted.

citifmonline.com