No International Statutes On Declaration Of Gifts After Football Matches

The World football governing body (FIFA) does not have statutes governing public declaration of gifts presented to teams. The Confederation of African Football and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) do not also have any statutes on the public declaration of gifts.

A former Chairman of the GFA, Nana Sam Brew Buttler told JOY FM that although there are occasions on which gifts are exchanged at international competitions, there are no clear cut rules covering the extent of limitations on such gifts.

Mr. Butler who was commenting on the $25,000 gift given to the Black Stars in Nigeria said while exchange of gifts in football is a normal phenomenon, people who exchange gifts should exercise caution in ensuring that gifts that do not influence the morality of the game. Mr. Butler agreed with the notion that the country’s laws could be streamlined so as to make GFA officials who travel outside to represent the country, declare gifts they received while they were outside the country.

On whether Ghanaian tax payers should be made aware of receipt of such gifts, Mr. Butler said it depends on how the presentation of such gifts are made.