Sports News of Tuesday, 23 November 2010

Source: Ghanasoccernet

Fifa warns Ghana over government interference

Fifa has warned that it will not hesitate to clamp down on governmental intrusion in the Ghana FA following recent skirmishes.

The world governing body has revealed it is constantly monitoring developments in the country should any governmental inference issue erupt again.

Fifa has been alerted by attempts by government elements to impose Abedi Pele as the Ghana FA’s candidate for a vacant CAF post even though Kwesi Nyantakyi had already been approved to contest the post.

The government was forced to make a u-turn, withdrawing the directive to force Abedi as a candidate.

Despite government steering clear from the controversy, Fifa says it is monitoring developments in the country to avoid a recurrence.

“FIFA closely monitors the situation regarding the Ghana Football Association and a potential governmental interference,” Fifa said in a statement.

Nigeria, Chad, Kenya and Niger were all banned by Fifa after their governments forced candidates on their federations.

The Ghana Football Association board nominated the FA chairman for the post three months ago.

Africa’s governing body endorsed his candidature, hoping his victory could help improve the continent’s game the way he has positively transformed his country.

Nyantakyi has been in charge of the massive successes Ghana football has chalked in recent years, leading the country to its first two World Cups in 2006 and 2010.

He is the first man to have led an Africa country to win the Africa Youth Championship title in Egypt last year which the Black Satellites annexed.