Head of Communications for the Ghana Football Association, Ibrahim Sannie Daara has debunked claims by Executive Committee member Winfred Osei Palmer that Ghana failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup because we couldn’t induce referees to be fair.
Osei Palmer asserted that Nii Lantey Vanderpuije’s cancellation of the unclassified payments in the budget injured our dreams of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup but Sannie, speaking in his capacity as the official spokesperson of the FA rubbished that claim and noted that the Ghana FA do not dabble in unlawful acts and illegalities.
Speaking on Happy FM‘s Anopa Bosuo Sports hosted by Moses Antwi Benefo PJ Mozey, Sannie Daara said Palmer’s assertion is his personal opinion and doesn’t in any way represent the view of the Football Association.
“Everyone has his opinion so what Palmer said is his opinion but as I speak now, I speak in the official capacity of the FA. Let me state the position of the FA; I am stating clearly that we don’t induce referees and we don’t bribe referees. We don’t do unlawful things. Everything we do is lawful and we follow due process in our dealings. By default, a referee is expected to be fair so we don’t have to induce a referee to do his job. Maybe Palmer didn’t understand the unclassified payments” Saanie Daara told Happy FM.
Saanie revealed that the GFA is satisfied with the modalities at CAF and FIFA used to address referees who officiate poorly.
“We are satisfied with the modalities at CAF and FIFA for addressing issues of referees who officiate poorly. As to what we use the unclassified payments for, it’s our Director of International competitions who can answer.” Sannie Daara added.
