George Afriyie pleads not guilty to GFA charge over league comments

George Afriyie has clarified his recent remarks about the nation’s top-tier league, stating that his words were misunderstood after the Ghana Football Association (GFA)’s Disciplinary Committee charged him over the comments.

The former GFA Vice President responding to the charge submitted a detailed document defending his position, including references to similar remarks made by other football officials that had not led to disciplinary action.

He pleaded not guilty, maintaining that, “your charges were taken out of context, misinterpreted, and do not constitute improper conduct.”

The GFA initiated charges against Afriyie on November 7, following statements he made in an interview with Kessben TV. During the interview, he referred to match-fixing involving AshantiGold and Inter Allies, using these instances to suggest manipulation within the Ghana Premier League.

According to the GFA, Afriyie’s statements could damage the league’s reputation and cited section 11(2)(d) of the 2019 GFA Disciplinary Code, which bars conduct that brings the association into disrepute. Now, the disciplinary committee is set to review his response, weighing the statements against the code’s stipulations before reaching a verdict on his innocence or culpability.

The match Afriyie referenced led to the demotion of Inter Allies and the suspension of AshantiGold, as well as penalties for club officials, including former president Dr Kwaku Frimpong.

Afriyie, who finished second in the 2019 GFA presidential election, was disqualified from running in 2023. Kurt Okraku stood unopposed and secured a second term.