A leaked document by Ghana’s Ministry of Youth and Sports reveals that government paid ‘bribes’ in 2014 to aid the Black Stars qualification to the World Cup in Brazil, a newspaper has reported.
A report carried by a Ghanaian newspaper and its website claim the leaked document from the Sports Minister, Nii Lante’s office says his own government made $420,000 unclassified payments which the newspaper described as ‘bribe’ to secure Ghana’s qualification to the world football fiesta.
The reports, published by the Ghana Sports Newspaper and carried by ghanasportsonline.com disclosed a document leaked from the Sports Ministry revealed how the government spent the said amount on the first-leg alone in Kumasi.
The reports further nailed the Sports Ministry indicates that a total amount of $700,000 was used for unclassified payments in the entire qualifiers under Elvis Afriyie Ankrah’s regime.
The newspaper report went on to say that the said document from the Sports Minister’s office further revealed that Ghana spent $116,000 on the game against Zambia, which Ghana won 2-1 and a further $199,000 on Ghana’s win over Sudan and Lesotho.
Growing concerns among Ghanaians over Nii Lante’s recent bust-ups with the Ghana Football Association with claims that government overspends on football have given the suspicion that his ministry indeed leaked the report as claimed by the newspaper.
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This follows a recent publication in the media in which the Minister’s outfit released a private correspondence it had with the Ghana FA to the media in a press statement.
Ghana thumped the Pharaohs of Egypt by 6-1 in the first leg at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to cement a comfortable position ahead of the second leg in Egypt, which the home side won 2-1.
Ghana had a disastrous 2014 World Cup experience following government’s delay in the payment of appearance fees for the players creating chaos and anarchy in the Ghana camp.
The Ghana Football Association is saddened by reports in the local media that they paid match officials to aid their quest for a ticket to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
A local news paper on Monday reported that a document from the Sports Ministry revealed that, the country’s football governing body spent about $420,000 during the final phase of the mundial qualifier against Egypt.
According to the report, about $100,000 dollars was given to the match officials, and the FA are unhappy with the allegations.
Sportscrusader.com sources within the FA revealed that the FA will react to the allegations with a statement soon.
The purpose of the statement according to the sources, is to dispel the notion that the FA indulged in acts contrary not only in football, but in the society.
Earlier today, a management member of the Black Stars expressed his dissatisfaction with the Sports Ministry for allowing such a ‘confidential’ document to be leaked to the media.
He said that the Ministry has done a great disservice to Ghana football.
