FIFA threatens to ban Ghana over government interference

ACCRA - World football governing body FIFA has warned the Ghanaian government to withdraw a court action seeking to liquidate the country's football association (GFA) by August 27 or face immediate suspension.

According to a letter written to Ghana's Ministry of Youth and Sports late Monday, FIFA said it considers the petition introduced by the Attorney General of Ghana to the high court to start the liquidation process of the GFA as constituting undue interference in the affairs of the football association, in contravention of relevant FIFA statutes.

"Under these circumstances, the Bureau based on article 16 paragraph 1 of the FIFA statutes decided on August 11, 2018 that if the petition to start the liquidation process of the GFA is not withdrawn by Monday August 27, 2018, the GFA will be suspended with immediate effect," the letter said.

"The suspension will be lifted only once the above-mentioned petition is withdrawn and FIFA is given written proof thereof," it added.

Ghana risks being banned from taking part in any international events if authorities fail to comply with the latest directive from FIFA.

The action will also prevent Ghana from hosting the Africa Women's Championship which is scheduled to be held later this year.

The latest FIFA directive follows a documentary by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which captured fraudulent activities by GFA officials and administrators who were filmed intending to influence the outcome of football matches.

Some top officials were also caught on tape allegedly taking money to influence league games and player selection into the various national teams.

This led to the government filing a petition at the high court to dissolve the GFA as part of its efforts to rebuild the GFA to restore public confidence and protect the interest of the public.