Nyantakyi to appeal FIFA ban

Beleaguered President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, who is already having a pending case in Ghana against investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has indicated that, he will appeal against the lifetime ban imposed on him by FIFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sports.

Nyantakyi was banned from all football related activities and fined 500,000 Swiss Francs after being found guilty by the Adjudicatory Chamber of FIFA, as a result of findings from investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ exposé dubbed Number 12.

500,000 Swiss Francs translates to 2,414,276.46 Ghana cedis and 497,490.00 dollars respectively.
Although several other football officials the world over have been banned for life and also fined, Mr. Nyantakyi’s fine is quite hefty, at least much higher than what former Fifa Boss, Sepp Blatter paid.

A statement on Fifa’s website announcing the life ban said: “The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has banned Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), for life from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level.”
“The adjudicatory chamber found Mr Nyantakyi guilty of having violated art. 19 (Conflicts of interest), art. 21 (Bribery and corruption) and art. 22 (Commission) of the FIFA Code of Ethics, 2012 edition. As a consequence, Mr Nyantakyi is banned for life from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level. Additionally, a fine in the amount of CHF 500,000 has been imposed on Mr Nyantakyi.”

But in a statement released on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, Mr. Nyantakyi, who said he was “shocked”, described the verdict from FIFA as “unfair and harsh”, and confirmed he and his lawyers will appeal the decision at CAS as he is bent on clearing his name.
The full statement below:

PRESS RELEASE: Kwesi Nyantakyi heads to CAS to appeal FIFA ban
I wish to express my shock and deep sadness after receiving the decision from the FIFA Ethics Adjudicatory Committee on Tuesday.
My legal advisors are under my instructions to urgently appeal the decision as I think it was unfair, harsh and unwarranted.

I will use all the legal channels available to seek redress and establish the facts I presented to the committee.
Even though I have already resigned from all my football positions, it is important I establish the facts with the sole aim of clearing my name.

At this moment I am unable to provide any further details as my lawyers are reviewing the facts for appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the people of Ghana, Africa and indeed across the globe for the overwhelming support and outpouring of sympathy.
Thank you.

Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi
…..signed…..