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LONDON. — Former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi has been banned by FIFA from football activities for 90 days. Ghana said it will dissolve its national football association after Kwesi Nyantakyi was filmed apparently accepting a “cash gift”.
He was pictured taking $65 000 (£48 000) from an undercover reporter pretending to be a businessman. Nyantakyi is the second most powerful official in African football and also a member of the FIFA Council.
Ghana Football Association announced yesterday, hours after the ban was put in place, that Nyantakyi had stepped down as its president.
He has not commented on the allegations.
The provisional suspension comes into force “immediately” and can be extended by 45 days, FIFA said in a statement.
BBC African football analyst Nick Cavell says it seems unlikely that Ghana will be able to take part in Wednesday’s vote for the next host of the 2026 World Cup, which pits Morocco against a joint bid from US, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA could in theory ban Ghana from international competition if they deem the move to dissolve the GFA to be political interference.
Ghana, who did not qualify for the World Cup Finals, played Iceland on Thursday, after the allegations emerged.
An undercover investigation by controversial journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas first raised serious questions about the nature of Africa’s favourite game.BBC Africa’s new investigations unit, Africa Eye, has had exclusive access to the footage of Anas’ film.
Nyantakyi had made tackling corruption a major part of his message since taking the helm of the GFA.
But the film shows him apparently placing the $65 000 “shopping money” into a black plastic bag from a reporter pretending to be a businessman keen to invest in Ghanaian football.
He is the most prominent member of more than 100 football officials — most of them West African referees — receiving cash.
Fifa rules forbid officials from receiving cash gifts. — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter