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Soccer News of Thursday, 20 March 2014

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Gov’t will not return 2010 World Cup money to GFA

The Ghana FA will not receive any money over its participation in the 2010 World Cup after government controversially took the $11m earned from the Black Stars feat in South Africa.

GHALCA wrote to FIFA last week asking the governing body to force government to release part of the money for the development of the game in the country. In 2010, Ghana received $11m from FIFA but controversy ensued over the use of the money.

The then Minister for Sports Akua Dansua forced the GFA to hand over to the government $11m which was paid into the consolidated fund.

Despite cries for some of the money was paid to the GFA for it to be used for development of football in the country, Sports Minister Afriyie-Ankrah insists the money will not return.

“The money was put into the Consolidated Fund and the whole country benefited from its use,” Afriyie-Ankrah responded to a question from the media as to how the 2014 appearance fee was spent.

This was against the backdrop of the government’s sole financing role of the national teams that participate in all FIFA organized international tournaments, with no tangible financial returns accruing to the state.

To the Ghanaian government, if the state bears the complete cost of participation by national teams in these FIFA tournaments, it stands to reason that any financial returns accruing to the senior national team must also go back to replenish the stock, and help develop other sporting disciplines.

During its maiden appearance in the World Cup in 2006, Ghana received $8m from the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).

Part of this money was used for the development in football in the country.