Soccer News of Monday, 6 June 2005

Source: GNA

CAF keeps mute on Ghana's protest

Accra, June 6, GNA - The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has remained mute over the complaint lodged by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on the bizarre circumstances witnessed in the finals of the just ended Sixth Africa Under-17 Championship between the Black Starlets of Ghana and host nation The Gambia.

CAF is yet to give the GFA any official response two weeks after the local football controlling body had forwarded their complaint to them, which included pictorial evidence on the incident.

Mr Fred Pappoe, a member of the delegation, which led the team to the Gambia, told the GNA Sports that they are in doubt as to why CAF is yet to make any official response on the complaint but will still give CAF enough time to come out with its ruling or decision.

He said that though the FA is not expecting a change in the results of the match, they however believe a statement from CAF will portray a positive image for them since the whole world witnessed the incident. According to Mr Pappoe, failure on the part of CAF to give any official response will cast an indictment on its integrity and affect the development of soccer on the continent.

Ghana was last beaten in the finals of the Sixth Africa Under-17 Championship by host nation The Gambia under bizarre circumstances. The lone goal victory, which was recorded in the last three minutes of the game was aided by 'a strange soccer fan' who invaded the pitch to disrupt the attention of the Ghanaian goalkeeper.