Lawyer for suspended National Sports Authority (NSA) Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Jerry Avenorgbor, has rejected allegations linking his client to a visa facilitation scheme involving people seeking to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mr Avenorgbor insists Mr Ampofo Ankrah did not collect money from applicants or participate in arrangements to secure visas or travel opportunities for the tournament.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, October 1, the lawyer said the ongoing investigation would establish his client's innocence.

“My client has not done it. My client has not been in physical form, present with anybody, collected and taken money to do anything,” he said.

The allegations emerged amid claims that more than $600,000 had been collected from individuals seeking assistance with visa and travel arrangements connected to the World Cup.

The Minority in Parliament has also alleged that some individuals were charged amounts of up to $8,000.

Mr Avenorgbor described the allegations against his client as false and damaging to his reputation.

“These are falsities and untruths,” he said, expressing confidence that investigators would establish what actually happened.

He further clarified that the investigation is being conducted by the Economic Crime Unit at the Police Headquarters, rather than the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI), as has been reported in some quarters.

According to the lawyer, investigators have already invited a number of individuals and organisations as part of their inquiries.

President John Dramani Mahama suspended Mr Ampofo Ankrah to allow investigations into the allegations to proceed.

Mr Avenorgbor also sought to separate the NSA from Tribe, a company he said was involved in activities connected to the World Cup.

“It’s not the NSA that Tribe worked for,” he stated, adding that the company had documentation to support its operations.

The lawyer urged the public to allow the investigation to run its course, maintaining that the facts would eventually emerge.

“My client has not done anything in this regard. This is information being peddled to denigrate the reputation of my client,” he said.

He added: “Time will reveal, and that’s it.”