Bribery charge is unfortunate J.Y. Appiah
Bribery charge is unfortunate J.Y. Appiah
The Chairman of clubs Association (GHALCA), Mr J.Y. Appiah, has described the bribery allegations being leveled against the Ghanaian contingent, which travelled to Nigeria to play Super Eagles in the crucial World Cup qualifier as very unfortunate.
According to Mr Appiah, soon there would be none to run the local game if such negative tendencies are not discouraged.
The GHALCA Chairman was reacting to media speculations on the $25,000 presented to the Ghanaians team after their final World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on July 28, which the Stars lost 3-0.
Asked about his opinion on the issue since he was on the trip on the ticket of the GFA Executive Council, he declined to comment even though he didn't perceive the gesture from the River State Governor to the Stars as a bribe.
He justified his stance with the point that the FA Chairman, Mr Ben Koufie had already furnished the general public with all facts about the issue.
When contacted, the Technical Director of the Black Stars, Mr Fred Osam-Doudu dismissed the allegations and termed it as something being pushed by certain people eager to distract the Stars attention from Mali 2002 preparations.
While describing it as negative campaign, Coach Osam-Doudu questioned the sense in surrendering their substantial winning bonuses for peanuts.
He explained that had the Stars won the match, he was going to take home $1,500 as his usual winning bonus which would have been almost 100 per cent more than the $800 he got as his share of the $25,000 gift, from the Nigerian Governor.
GRi /
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com