FIFA operational fund is for GFA not clubs – Henry Asante
In a little over a week, FIFA promised member countries that they were each going to receive a stimulus package to the tune of $500,000, this they say should help soften the financial impact of the virus on member countries.
Prior to this development, clubs had persistently petitioned the government through the FA to provide some financial respite to help them ease the massive financial overload on them in these trying times.
But with the FA in line to receive the stimulus package like other countries, Communications Director of GFA, Henry Asante Twum has dealt a serious blow to the hopes of club owners suggesting that the $500,000 package from FIFA is meant for the Ghana Football Association (GFA)’s operational cost and not for the clubs.
In a recent interview with Accra based Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, he said.
“The Ghana Football Association is yet to receive the $500,000 from FIFA,”
“The money will be used to cover operational costs at the Football Association and I can state categorically that the money FIFA is bringing is not for clubs.
However, this statement has been met with some backlash as the President and bankroller of Berekum Arsenal, Alhaji Yakubu Moro has called on the FA boss, Kurt Okraku to respect clubs over the $500,000 FIFA stimulus package.
According to the Yakubu Moro, clubs are in crisis and the FA must show respect in distributing the money as soon as possible.
“What he (Henry Asante Twum) said doesn’t make sense if you inform us (club owners) that you are going to solicit funds from the government for us amid the Covid-19 downturn and thankfully FIFA has given you money why don’t you give it to us?”
“There wouldn’t be GFA if there is no club, so I am urging my colleague club owners to rise for us to fight for our rights, they shouldn’t keep quiet over this issue like they did when the GLO money came.
“The GFA should think twice and apportion some of the funds to us, the suffering is unbearable to us.
The Ghana Premier League is not being played as the country battles the virus.
The Ministry of Health reports that it has confirmed 1279 cases, 134 recoveries, 10 deaths.
