Ghana Football Association threaten lawsuits for unauthorized betting

It appears that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will be taking legal action against sportsbook operators who have been taking unauthorized bets on contests within the league.

In a statement provided by the GFA, they explained:

“We strongly warn all betting companies to stop placing bets on the Ghana Premier League or any GFA product without authorization from the GFA; failing which the Association will take legal action against them without further notice. The GFA hereby also wishes to alert the national regulator, the Gaming Commission of Ghana, of the illegal activities of their licensed betting companies against the GFA and its members.”

As part of the new provisions set by the GFA, all participants in domestic football contests are also prohibited from taking part in betting. This includes coaches, players, officials, management, and any other individual who plays a role in these operations.

Betting has become a growing concern for those within the GFA. Last month, league president Kurt Okraku promised to rid the sport of illegal gaming activity, promising to severely punish any betting syndicate that was attempting to influence games or take unauthorized wagers on contests.

Concerns about betting companies attempting to influence the results of games within the Ghana Premier League have been rampant for years. Last week, the Elima Sharks asked the GFA to launch an investigation into what they referred to as a “fake” friendly contest between the Sharks and the SekondiHasaacas that occurred on October 20. Elima claimed that that the scrimmage contest was set up by a person who had infiltrated the youth programs in order to set up the contest. According to the complaint, it is believed that this contest was set up solely for the purpose of betting.

Corruption is even reached the top levels of the sport in Ghana. In 2018, former GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi was banned from the sport for life after being found guilty of both bribery and corruption.

This is where the current GFA President has been looking to change the culture within the sport. On December 20, Okraku issued a statement regarding these betting syndicates and their illegal operations where he declared, –

“We have new provisions on betting. All participants in our football (players, GFA staff members, club staff members, coaches, club administrators, referees, match commissioners etc.) are strictly prohibited from taking part in betting. Again, no betting company can use our fixtures or match results for betting without an authorization or a license from the GFA.”

Source: calvinayre.com