Soccer News of Thursday, 22 April 2004

Source: GNA

GFA Chairman to get tough on clubs

Accra, April 22, GNA-Doctor Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has expressed his desire to get tough with clubs who fail to submit their accounts to the association. He said he will soon issue a six-week ultimatum to the various clubs to that effect whilst emphasising that his outfit will not compromise on the directives.

Doc. Nyaho-Tamakloe who said this at his maiden meeting with the media since his appointment, said he was poised to work accordingly with the bye laws of the association to achieve his aim of injecting professionalism into the game and would not countenance any moves to flout the rules of the association.

He rubbished qualms that his biggest challenge will be applying the laws to the two most glamorous clubs in the country, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko when they fall foul of the rules.

The hard-talking 61 year-old medical practitioner insisted that "the issue of some clubs escaping deserving sanctions are a thing of the past, believe me," he added.

He stressed his eagerness to effect the necessary sanctions in his quest to lift the face of the game to an appreciable standard. The Chairman took a swap at the knights of the whistle when he alleged that the dwindling fortunes of the countries global soccer could largely be attributed to their conduct and performance.

He said the offer of bribes and other incentives by club officials to influence results of matches and officiating as it has been alleged in the past has been the bane of the game.

The Chairman, however said it was his desire to smoke out the said attitude and stressed that "Those caught in the act will regret forever," whilst emphasising that the GFA will work closely with the security intelligence to track down such offenders.

Commenting on the numerous court cases that bedevilled the association last season, the new Chairman outlined his desire to interpret and implement the byelaws of the FA to clubs that take the GFA to court. He said the right regulations would be applied to ensure that clubs receive the relevant sanctions to safe guard the image of the association.

Meanwhile, the Chairman directed that all media enquiries to his office to be channelled to Mr. Kofi Nsiah, General Secretary of the Association who is to act as the interim media officer.