International sports Lawyer Selasi Evans Adika has stated that Executive Committee member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Linear Addy who was caught up in the investigative documentary film by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has every right to sue the ace journalist for defamation if what was portrayed in the video was not the true representation of what happened.
Speaking to Ohene Bampoe–Brenya on Happy FM’s Anopa Bosua Sports, lawyer Adika said, “Linear Addy can sue the leader of the investigative film [Anas] for defamation if what was painted in the video was not the actual representation of what happened there, because Linear was not heard speaking in the film but was only captured for taking GH¢300 we don’t know what is it for.
It is safe to assume that the narrator, presumed to be Anas, is not acting unethically.
Lawyer Adika also said most of officials caught up in the expose may be exonerated before a competent criminal court of jurisdiction but FIFA law can rope them.
He also that per articles 20 and 21 of FIFA code of ethics, some of the football administrators and officials have breached the law which frowns on, provision of gifts, bribery and breach of loyalty to the FIFA, CAF, the FA and the leagues.
The exposé captured the GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi, among many other officials of the nation’s football governing body and match officials who influence the outcome of games, influence selection of players and divert funds meant for sponsorship, but the likes of J.F Mensah and Kweku Eyiah passed the test by rejecting the monies given them as bribes
However, Linear Addy couldn’t resist when a Tiger Eye PI agent posed himself as a team official and gave the chairperson of the Black Queens GH¢300 when discharging her duties as a Match Commissioner.
She is the only woman on powerful GFA Executive Committee, which is the highest decision making body of the Ghana Football Association.
By: Joseph Nii Ankrah
