Sports News of Thursday, 9 February 2017

Source: Ghanaian Times

GHALCA, GFA clash over disbursement of sponsorship funds

GHALCA Chairman, Kudjoe Fianoo GHALCA Chairman, Kudjoe Fianoo

The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) chairman, Cudjoe Fianoo, is on a collision course with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on the way sponsorship monies for clubs are handled.

He said the FA has not displayed enough transparency in relation to sponsorship monies made available to Premier League clubs and was ready to fight it to its logical conclusion.

According to the Ashantigold FC boss, as the leader of the clubs association, it is his responsibility to ensure that what is allocated to the clubs is given to them and not be disbursed in a manner that pleases the FA.

This was in reaction to reports about him launching a tirade at the Black Stars management committee members who he claimed are a ‘bunch of failures’. “That was the concern I expressed; it was mainly not about the Black Stars and its issues.”

According to the report published yesterday by Ghanasoccernet.com, Fianoo denied making a vow to unseat incumbent FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi but indicated that the seven-member management committee of the Black Stars had no business being there because of their background.

The report quoted Mr. Fianoo to have claimed that “they (Black Stars management committee) lack the knowledge and technical know-how to manage the affairs of the Black Stars and must bow out,” adding that there is no guarantee the team can qualify for the next AFCON if they remain in office.

He said the FA was not transparent in the disbursement of the sponsorship money released by StarTimes, broadcast sponsors of the league and when the GHALCA enquired about, their locus was questioned by the FA.

“How on earth do you (FA) receive US$700,000 and decides to give the clubs US$ 5,000. This is the question we are asking the FA but it seems they are not interested in this matter.”

According to the former FA Executive, all GHALCA is demanding now is the criteria the FA is using to disburse the money.

Responding to comments made on the Black Stars management committee, Mr. Fianoo noted that it must be reconstituted if Ghana wants to make progress in football.