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Why FIFA waited 10 weeks to issue a threat to ban Ghana
FIFA has threatened to ban Ghana from international competitions following government attempt to dissolve the GFA.
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The government of Ghana went for a court injunction to restrain the Ghana Football Association (GFA) from carrying out its day to day running of football in the country after Anas expose’ on football dubbed ‘Number 12’
Domestic football activities in the Ghana came to a standstill, after the undercover investigation into Ghana football dubbed ‘Number 12’ was aired, but FIFA allowed Ghana to enter into international competitions- the Black Princesses competed in the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, whereas the Black Satellites played in the 2019 African Youth Championship qualifiers.
FIFA, however, has threatened to ban Ghana from all international competition just a day after Ghana’s exit from the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France.
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One would say it was a mere co-incidence, but those who have followed the game closely, believe the decision by FIFA to issue a threat to Ghana was premeditated.
FIFA frowns on direct government interference into football matters and it doesn’t compromise on that. Government of Ghana knew an attempt to dissolve the Ghana Football Association would hand the nation a ban from all international football activities, but they wanted to deliberate with the world football governing body to avoid a ban.
FIFA wanted to buy time in its decision to put Ghana on ice, because of the Black Princesses participation in the U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Should FIFA had banned Ghana, it would have been difficult replacing the Black Princesses, hence, the need to lead Ghana on, until the Black Princesses failed to qualify from the group stage.
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Football connoisseurs weren’t surprised when news broke out that the world football governing body has threatened to slap Ghana with a ban over government interference, just a day after the Black Princesses exit from the 2018 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
What was FIFA doing all this while? In the heat of attempt by government to dissolve the GFA, FIFA in a way made them believe it was behind them.
All that FIFA wanted to achieve was to see the Black Princesses participate in the U-20 Women’s FIFA World Cup and after their exit, the road was clear for the world football governing body to make it stance on government interference explicit.
Background
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Anas Aremeyaw Anas premiered his undercover investigation into Ghana football on 6 June, 2018 at the International Conference Centre.
Several match and football officials were captured on camera receiving monies suspected to be bribes, with the then president of the GFA Kwesi Nyantakyi at the centre of the scandal.
The government of Ghana went for court injunction to restrain the GFA from organising football in the country in their quest to restructure football.
A two man liaison team was subsequently formed to organise international competitions.
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