Soccer News of Sunday, 6 January 2008

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Ghana consider Fifa action over Adjei

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is not ruling out Fifa action if goalkeeper Sammy Adjei is not released by Israeli side Ashdod for pre-African Cup of Nations training camp.

Clubs are required by Fifa to release players 14 days before the start of a major international tournament but it seems Ashdod are adamant to release the keeper.

Ashdod are expected to release the keeper by Sunday, 14 days before the tournament kicks off in Accra on 20 January.

It has been widely reported in the Israeli media that Adjei's contract will be cancelled immediately if he joins the Black Stars for the African Cup of Nations

Even though the keeper has been told that contract will not be extended when it expires on 31 May, the struggling club are keen to hold onto the keeper for their league matches.

The GFA has held talks with Ashdod officials, who have denied that they are trying to keep the player saying Adjei is reluctant to play for his country.

But Ghana's football governing body says it is monitoring the situation on Adjei and could take the matter to Fifa the keeper is not released by Sunday.

"We are keeping our options very open over this Sammy Adjei issue and we will take action after Sunday if the player is not released," GFA vice president Fred Pappoe told Ghanasoccernet.

"The laws over such issues are clear with Fifa and we might resort to the world governing body if the need arises.

"We have warned the player and the club over such possibility so until after Sunday we will keep our next line of action close to our chest.

"We will not take lightly any attempts to derail our plans of preparing fully for the African Cup of Nations."

Adjei is Ghana's safest hands as Birmingham keeper Richard Kingson is the first choice keeper

Ashdod have announced that they are keen on signing Israel under-23 keeper Tom Almadon who has been released by Maccabi Haifa.

Ghana kick off the African Cup of Nations on 20 January when they play Guinea in Accra.