THERE is this widely held perception by football enthusiasts in this country that ‘ways and means’ play a key role in our football. One may ask: what is ways and means in Ghana football?
‘WAYS and means, which appear to be gaining notoriety in Ghana football, basically, is the practice where football clubs try to bribe their way through to either win matches or employ foul means to stay in the league.
THE practice, among other things, involves referees taking bribes to decide the outcome of matches, footballers being influenced by money to play against their clubs etc. Unfortunately, ‘ways and means’ cut across all levels of Ghana football—from the colts level to the senior national team.
AT the senior level, the Black Stars, some of our football administrators take monies from players to ensure that they play in the national team. Today must unequivocally state that the above are some of the reasons why our local league is not getting the patronage and also sponsors that one would have expected.
WE must also make it clear that world football governing body, FIFA, takes corruption issues in football seriously. Obviously, corruption mars our beautiful game of football and also does not give football fans value for money.
IT is in the light of the above that Today is calling on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to up its game, especially when the 2017 GPL is left one round of matches to end the season. It means that the GFA must keenly monitor the various league centres this weekend to deal with the canker called ways and means.
IT is one way of injecting discipline into our football and also encouraging sponsors into the league. We are making this call to the GFA looking at how tight the league table has become, regarding the number of relegation-threatened teams.
WE also want to use the medium to advise particularly referees who will be at the centre of matches to be professional as any slip could invite trouble. Their professionalism will no doubt calm nerves as losers in particular will have no scores to settle.
