The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has strongly denied allegations circulating on social media that it demands money from players in exchange for selection into the Black Stars and other national teams.
The Association described the claims as false, malicious, and an attempt to damage its reputation, following reports that a person claiming to be a relative of striker Prince Owusu alleged he had been asked to surrender part of his potential World Cup earnings to secure a place in Ghana’s squad.
In a statement, the GFA insisted that it has never requested or received money from any player for national team selection or for any other purpose.
The Association clarified that invitations to the Black Stars and all other national teams are the sole responsibility of the head coach.
It stressed that neither the GFA leadership nor any member of the Association has the authority to influence player selection.
The GFA also explained that all financial payments to national team players, including appearance fees and match bonuses, are handled directly by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
According to the Association, these payments are transferred straight into players’ individual bank accounts, and the GFA does not manage or process the funds.
The football governing body further noted that both FIFA and GFA regulations strictly prohibit bribery, extortion, and other forms of financial misconduct.
It said any official found guilty of such offences would face severe disciplinary sanctions, including possible bans and criminal prosecution.
The Association urged Ghanaians to verify information before sharing it, stating that the Black Stars’ recent World Cup exit has led to the spread of misinformation and fabricated stories intended to create unnecessary tension.
The GFA also challenged anyone making the allegations to provide evidence, including the identities of those allegedly involved, the amount of money requested or paid, and when the incident supposedly occurred.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and integrity, the GFA said its legal team is reviewing the allegations and will take legal action against individuals and platforms responsible for spreading what it described as false and defamatory claims.
The Association added that it will not comment further on the matter unless necessary and urged the public to rely only on official statements from the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
