FIFA refers match-fixing case to Ghana FA

ACCRA, Aug - World football governing body FIFA has referred a match-fixing matter against Kwesi Nyantakyi, the president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to the national association for redress.

The decision arrived after the investigatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee concluded a preliminary investigation in relation to the alleged match manipulation involving officials of the GFA and a players' agent licensed by the same association, FIFA said in a statement on Monday.

It followed articles published by UK newspaper The Telegraph between June 22-24 and the airing of the Dispatches program "How to fix a football match" on Channel Four on June 23 that made claims of an alleged case of match manipulation linked to the organization of international friendly matches involving Ghana's national team, the Black Stars.

"Based on an analysis of the material, which included the limited portion of the footage made available by the relevant media outlets, and pursuant to the relevant rules established by the FIFA Code of Ethics, the investigatory chamber has decided to refer the matter to the Ghana FA," FIFA said.

"In light of the seriousness of the allegations, the investigatory chamber will continue to monitor the investigations and any future proceedings conducted by the competent bodies of the Ghana FA, and reserves its right to revisit its position on this matter at any time," it said.

But the GFA has denied the match-fixing allegations and subsequently requested the Ghana Police Service to investigate two persons for misrepresenting the association with an attempt to defraud.

Consequently, Christopher Forsythe, a FIFA player agent and Obed Nketia, a football official, were invited by the police following a report filed by the GFA but have been granted police inquiry bail.

No charges have been brought against them at the moment.