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Soccer News of Saturday, 5 December 2009

Source: Nii Ayi Tetteh

Kojo Bonsu’s Alleged Fracas With FIFA In South Africa

Embattled businessman and former football administrator, Kojo Bonsu on Friday was alleged to have brought the name of Ghana into disrepute after being snubbed by FIFA’s international relations officer, Jerome Champagne

Sources close to this reporter alleged that Kojo Bonsu had wanted to know how much Ghana will earn from participating in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa

Kojo Bonsu begun his diabolical move by distributing miniature flags in the colours of Ghana just to attract the attention of the media and FIFA executives before the draw

In the early hours of the day, Kojo Bonsu is said to have approached FIFA’s international relations officer, Jerome Champagne and introduced himself as an official from Ghana’s sports ministry representing the government at the draw.

Investigations revealed that the embattled football administrator requested for accreditation from Jerome Champagne to enable him and his team enter the venue for the draw Jerome Champagne replied that FIFA has sorted out the accreditation with the Ghana Football Association earlier.

Kojo Bonsu went ahead to inform Jerome Champagne that government is spending almost $6 million to prepare the black stars for the World Cup tournament.

For this reason, Kojo Bonsu requested to know how much Ghana will earn for participating in the Football bonanza in South Africa Further checks indicate that Jerome Champagne who was disappointed by the action of Kojo Bonsu organized a meeting with the Ghanaian delegation comprising Sports Minister Rashid Pelpuo, FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi, his vice Fred Pappoe, and spokesperson Randy Abbey to inform them about Bonsu’s action

Sources close to this reporter said Sports Minister Rashid Pelpuo was shocked and dismayed that Kojo Bonsu could go to that extent of misrepresenting the country whilst he being the sports minister was present to represent the country.

Kojo Bonsu caused a stir on November 23, 2009 when he called for the immediate formation of the public interest committee, one of the standing committees of the FA which is yet to be form.

Kojo Bonsu who is widely believed to be in close links with some officials of the ruling NDC government, is doing everything possible to ousted the current leadership at the GFA

Kojo Bonsu contested with Kwesi Nyantakyi for the FA presidency in 2005 and lost massively I n a related development, some government officials who were in Cape Town, South Africa, for the World Cup draw were denied entry to the venue because they do not have accreditation.

They include businessman and Kojo Bonsu, National Sports Council CEO Worlanyo Agrah, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., manag ing editor of the Insight Newspaper and a close ally of the current NDC government as well as a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports. This latest development comes in the wake of reported tension between some government officials and executives of the GFA.