Monrovia – Celebrated Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has denied reports that Liberian President George Manneh Weah was at the center of his recent exposé which brought down the head of the Ghana Football Association Kwesi Nyantkyi.
Produced in collaboration with the BBC, the documentary titled Number 12 shows how bribery and corruption influenced matches and football in general in Ghana.
Mr. Nyantakyi, the Ghanaian football chief is seen on tape interacting with persons he believed to be investors, quoting several sums of money to be given to those political figures and himself in order to facilitate the deal. Several referees and officials of the National Sports Authority were shown in various scenes, taking bribes; various sums of monies to influence Ghana Premier League games in favour of one side.
Prior to the documentary’s release, FrontPageAfrica received report that Liberian President Weah was in the vicinity of one of the transactions recorded by Anas. When contacted via Email, the journalist said, “This is False”.
But Ghanaweb news reported Sunday that journalist Kweku Baako who speaks for Anas said President Weah was part of the trips Nyantakyi organized to meet the investors now known to be fake.
Number 12’s release has sparked outcry in the football world ahead of the start of the World Cup in a few days time in Russia.
Nyantakyi, who is also the chairperson of the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee has been provisionally banned from FIFA as Council member for 90 days.
The independent Ethics Committee says the duration of the ban may be extended for an additional period not exceeding 45 days.
During this time, Mr. Nyantakyi is banned from all football activities at both national and international level (administrative, sports or any other). The ban comes into force immediately.
The decision was taken upon the request of the chairperson of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee carrying out the formal investigation proceedings into Mr Nyantakyi, pursuant to article 83 paragraph 1 and article 84 paragraph 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics.
Fifa prohibits accepting or receiving gifts and benefits to and from persons within or outside FIFA, or in conjunction with intermediaries or related parties as defined in its Code of Ethics.
Anas’s video also showed a World Cup-bound referee and a member of the Fifa Council accepting bribes by an undercover team sent by Anas. Kenya’s Adel Range Marwa, one of Africa’s World Cup-bound referees, will no longer be in Russia after being filmed receiving a $600 ‘gift’.
Marwa was given money by an undercover reporter posing as an official of a top Ghanaian football side.
Marwa, the sole Kenyan among the 16 African officials designated for Russia, has resigned his position, says football’s world governing body Fifa.