News
Football on the altar of morality
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/James-Kwesi-Appiah-1000x600.webp&description= Football on the altar of morality', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/James-Kwesi-Appiah-1000x600.webp&description= Football on the altar of morality', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Sudan coach, Kwesi Appiah’s status after Tuesday’s second leg AFCON 2025 qualifier against the Black Stars of Ghana, his native country, would be of paramount interest to football fans across the country as well as officialdom.
His association with the Sudanese football where he serves as the national team coach and Ghana as an Executive Council member has raised conflict of interest issues in recent times.
That situation appears to have overshadowed the preparation and buildup for the match Ghana needs a win badly to stay in contention for a slot for next year’s continental football fiesta in Morocco.
It is not as if these concerns are new. It is not! In fact, they were expressed from the moment the news about Sudan’s interest in him broke out.
From the time negotiation started till when it fully materialised and signatures appended to a deal that allows Appiah to ‘eat with both hands’, nothing was done about it.
Even if something was done, it must have surely been under some closed-door environment.
Perhaps, the silence of the FA may have been grounded in the belief that Ghana would avoid Sudan in the qualifiers or had expected football’s integrity rules to deal with the matter.
Others have argued and taken on Appiah on grounds of morality.
The Sudan avoidance school of thought may be fair because Appiah had work peacefully and succeeded in building a winsome Sudan team that lead Ghana’s group in the qualifiers.
Randy Abbey’s concern was therefore legitimate, although it raised a few eyebrows with the timing.
Going forward, Appiah graciously announced a decision to step down from his position as a member of the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), following a directive from CAF, but TEMPORARILY.
“This situation is contrary to the CAF Statutes and the FIFA Code of Ethics.
“For that reason and to preserve the integrity of the AFCON qualifiers, I urge you to take immediate action to resolve this conflict of interest, including at the minimum, temporarily stepping down from one of the two roles until the conclusion of the competition,” a CAF statement read.
That appears to have solved a part of the puzzle as both teams prepare for the second leg of the double-header on Tuesday.
However, the wording of the CAF letter leaves the door open for a return to the subject because Appiah could return to take back his position on the FA Executive Council.
It may still not sound right for one person to perform dual roles which can conflict in many other ways and not necessarily in clashes involving the two parties.
It appears the myriad rules established to check the administration of the game have no consideration for this particular situation, leaving it on the person in the centre of the storm to be judged on grounds of morality.
Well, since the qualifiers will conclude just next month, one needs to be patient and wait to see the next line of action to be taken by the Ghana FA and Appiah.
But if you ask me, I will suggest a much clearer way in dealing with such situations. The rules must even not let it happen for people to be subjected to moral torture, a test majority of the people will fail.
By Andrew Nortey
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
