Sports
GFA ends Negotiations with StarTimes on Media Rights Deal
The Ghana Football Association has ended negotiation with StarTimes on Media Right Deal.
The decision follows the expiration of the previous broadcast contract with StarTimes at the conclusion of the 2023/24 football season.
Subsequently, the Association had been negotiating with StarTimes on the possibility of extending the contract. Unfortunately, both parties could not agree on the terms to renew the contract.
As a result of this development, GFA officially notified StarTimes of the situation and is currently demanding an outstanding debt of USD 842,173.36. due the Association from the previous agreement.
The GFA has retained legal counsel and commenced formal processes to recover the outstanding debt owed by StarTimes.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read the full statement below
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Accra, Ghana – May 22, 2025
GFA Ends Negotiations with StarTimes on Media Rights Deal
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) wishes to inform its members, partners, and the general public that it officially ended all negotiations with StarTimes on the renewal of the Media Broadcast Rights agreement in March 2025.
This decision follows the expiration of the previous broadcast contract with StarTimes at the conclusion of the 2023/24 football season. Subsequently, the Association had been negotiating with StarTimes on the possibility of extending the contract. Unfortunately, both parties could not agree on the terms to renew the contract.
As a result of this development, GFA officially notified StarTimes of the situation and is currently demanding an outstanding debt of USD 842,173.36. due the Association from the previous agreement. The GFA has retained legal counsel and commenced formal processes to recover the outstanding debt owed by StarTimes.
The Association remains committed to securing a transparent, fair, and mutually beneficial media partnership that aligns with the interests of our clubs, the Association and our stakeholders.
Captain of Ghana’s National U-15 Boys team, Abdul Aziz Issa, says the exposure gained at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan will be vital for the development of the squad.
Ghana finished 7th out of 189 countries after an impressive campaign, winning eight of ten matches.
“I think we played well, the exposure was good for our development, and we can’t thank FIFA and the GFA enough for this amazing platform,” Issa said.
“I’m so very happy to be part of this FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan. I want to thank my colleagues for how far we have brought Ghana in this tournament.”
The captain believes the experience will prepare the group for future challenges at U-17 and U-20 level.
Ghana enjoyed an outstanding tournament, scoring 44 goals and establishing themselves among the top seven teams.
Their dominant group stage saw them score 27 goals while conceding just three. Salifu Fatawu’s side opened with a commanding 4-1 win over Uzbekistan, thrashed Myanmar 7-1, recorded emphatic 7-0 wins over Guam and the Bahamas, before rounding off the group with a 2-1 triumph over Kazakhstan.
Their pursuit of a higher finish suffered a setback in the knockout phase after elimination by Paraguay in a dramatic encounter.
The team bounced back to finish 7th, including a commanding 4-0 victory over Colombia in their final game, despite suffering a 7-1 defeat to Brazil in the Tier A Ranking Play-Offs.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Spanish Police have opened an investigation into the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel following his on-field collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono.
The 30-year-old forward died on Tuesday, November 3, at age 30, after suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest during a LaLiga 2 match at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López on Monday. f350
According to police sources cited by EFE, the case is under judicial supervision. The incident occurred in stoppage time when Owono rushed out of his penalty area to challenge for a long ball near midfield and collided heavily with De Miguel, striking him in the chest. The goalkeeper was shown a straight red card.
De Miguel was taken to Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria where he remained in intensive care until his death on Tuesday morning. CD Tenerife confirmed the passing in a statement: “Racked with pain… we communicate the tragic passing… of Jesús de Miguel Alameda”.
The National Police’s Homicide Group in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is leading the inquiry. Judicial authorities in the Canary Islands clarified that such an investigation is automatically opened whenever a death occurs from non-natural causes and does not by itself establish criminal responsibility.
While reports indicate police are examining possible involuntary manslaughter under Article 142 of Spain’s Penal Code, chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui believes it is highly unlikely that criminal proceedings will be brought because the collision occurred during normal play.
Authorities will review the referee’s match report, match footage, medical reports and the findings of the sports disciplinary committee to determine whether the challenge constituted dangerous play.
For now, no judicial ruling has established criminal responsibility on the part of the Andorra goalkeeper and the investigation remains open as Spanish football mourns De Miguel.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
