The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has upheld the decision to disqualify George Akwasi Afriyie from the 2023 Ghana Football Association (GFA) Presidential Elections.
In addition to upholding Afriyie’s disqualification, CAS also ruled in favour of the GFA by ordering Afriyie to pay CHF1,000 (one thousand Swiss Francs) as contribution towards legal fees and expenses incurred by the Ghana Football Association during the arbitration process.
Furthermore, Afriyie will bear the cost of arbitration, to be determined separately.
The dismissal of Afriyie’s appeal, delivered on Monday, May 6, 2024, marks the culmination of a protracted legal battle over his eligibility to contest for the prestigious position within the GFA.
Afriyie, lodged an appeal with CAS against the decision of the GFA Appeals Committee, seeking to overturn his disqualification and secure the opportunity to vie for the office of GFA President.
However, CAS’s ruling maintained the stance taken by the GFA Appeals Committee, further reinforcing the validity of the Elections Committee’s decision to disqualify Afriyie.
The crux of the matter revolved around Afriyie’s failure to meet the eligibility criteria stipulated in Article 30(3) of the GFA Statutes.
CAS’s decision hinged on the fact that Afriyie’s nomination fell short of the required support from five members of the GFA, with only four members backing his candidacy.