Ghana Faces FIFA Ban?

Ghanaian football may come under the hammer of world soccer’s ruling body, FIFA, following reports that the country's government plans to impose certain people on committees of the GFA (Ghana Football Association).

FIFA have warned that Ghana will be banned from international competition if it is proven that government is interfering with the running of the sport in the country.

A ban from international competition means the Black Stars will not be allowed to feature in subsequent 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

The country's youth team, the Black Satellites, will also be booted out of the FIFA World Youth Championship, which is to be hosted by Egypt later this year, while Ghanaian clubs will be banned from international engagements.

FIFA has written to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) demanding a report over recent manoeuvres by the country's new sports minister.

Under FIFA rules, national football associations must not be subject to government control.

Despite this regulation, which has led to the banning of several countries, Ghana’s sports minister, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, recently met the GFA to demand the inclusion of government representatives on the association's committees.

FIFA's presidential delegate for special affairs, Jerome Champagne, has now demanded a report on the development from the GFA.

The GFA report will determine whether their independence is being threatened before FIFA take any action.