GFA Elections: Appeals Committee affirms disqualification of George Afriyie
The Appeals Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has upheld the decision to disqualify George Kwasi Afriyie from contesting the GFA presidency later this year.
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The ruling, handed down on September 15, 2023, follows a thorough review of Afriyie's appeal against his disqualification.
In the notice of appeal dated September 8, 2023, Afriyie contested the decision of the Elections Committee of the Ghana Football Association, which had barred him from the race for the GFA presidency. The Appeals Committee conducted a meticulous review, considering all documents submitted by Afriyie in support of his application.
One of the key points of contention centred around the composition of the Elections Committee. Afriyie alleged that the committee was comprised of six members, in violation of the regulations which stipulate five members.
The Committee clarified that the sixth person mentioned by Afriyie was the in-house lawyer of the Ghana Football Association, who was present for administrative purposes and not part of the vetting team. This practice, according to the Elections Regulations of the GFA, is permissible.
Afriyie's nomination was supported by five members, as required by the GFA Statutes. However, the inclusion of a sixth Statutory Declaration from an individual who had not endorsed his nomination was deemed irrelevant.
The Elections Committee's decision to disqualify Afriyie was primarily based on an endorsement from Victory Club Warriors F/C, which was found to be incompetent. Jeffery Asare, who signed on behalf of the club, was not a legally authorized signatory, as confirmed by both club officials and company records.
Furthermore, the Appeals Committee clarified that Article 8(3) of the GFA Regulations on Elections, which allows candidates a grace period to provide missing documents, did not apply in this case, as Afriyie had submitted all necessary documents.
In conclusion, the Appeals Committee affirmed that Afriyie's nomination lacked the requisite support from five GFA members, rendering it invalid. As a result, Afriyie's appeal was dismissed.
