I will appeal FIFA life ban - Kwesi Nyantakyi
Embattled former Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyantakyi has signalled his intent to appeal a lifetime ban from all football activities.
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Describing the decision as unfair, harsh and unwarranted, Mr Nyantakyi said his lawyers are reviewing the facts for appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
He said the decision to appeal is motivated by the quest to clear his name after already resigning all his football positions.
"I wish to express my shock and deep sadness after receiving the decision from the FIFA Ethics Adjudicatory Committee on Tuesday," Mr Nyantakyi said in a statement on Wednesday.
"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".
CAS Appeal
Nyantakyi would be hoping to follow the path of former Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam who had his lifetime FIFA ban rescinded by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in July 2012 for lack of evidence.
Bin Hammam was handed a lifetime ban by FIFA's ethics committee after being found guilty of paying cash gifts totalling close to $1 million to CONCACAF officials during his campaign to be elected the president of world football's governing body in 2011.
The Qatari withdrew his candidacy days before the election, paving the way for incumbent Sepp Blatter to continue unopposed for another four-year term.
However, the Swiss-based CAS overturned the decision ruling that his appeal could be upheld because of a lack of evidence.
Interestingly CAS did not rule that he was innocent and FIFA is free to bring fresh proceedings against him if new evidence is found.
A FIFA statement swiftly condemned the CAS decision, saying: "FIFA has noted with concern the decision announced today by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the Mohamed Bin Hammam case.
"FIFA notes that the CAS verdict indicates that Mohamed Bin Hammam has not been proven innocent and that 'it is more likely than not that the Appellant (Mohamed Bin Hammam) was at the source of the monies that were brought into Trinidad and Tobago and eventually distributed at the meeting' (of the Caribbean Football Union on 10 and 11 May 2011).
"...Moreover, FIFA has taken note of the decision by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) earlier this week to open a disciplinary case against Mohamed Bin Hammam and to provisionally suspend him from taking part in any football activity for another matter. The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee extended this provisional suspension to worldwide level yesterday, 18 July 2012. Therefore, Mohamed Bin Hammam remains suspended until the current case has been concluded."
Eugene Gulland, speaking on behalf of Bin Hammam's legal team at Covington & Burling LLP, said: "We are delighted with the decision issued by the Court of Arbitration, rejecting all of FIFA's unfounded allegations of wrongdoing against Mr Bin Hammam, allowing his appeal and quashing FIFA's unjust life ban.
"Throughout this lengthy process, Mr Bin Hammam has maintained his innocence and remained confident that he would be vindicated once the case was brought before an independent, third-party body. Mr Bin Hammam will now carefully consider his options before making further comment.''
Bin Hammam has told the BBC World Service's world football programme that he intends to walk away from the game once he has cleared his name.
"I promise you I will not quit until I clear my name," he said. "I have one aim, one mission, one target and that is to clear my name and then I say goodbye."
He added: "Frankly speaking what my wish is to quit. I have served football more than 42 years and the last year I have seen a very bad, very ugly face of the sport and of the football. The jealousy... I will not talk about corruption and other things everybody is talking about. My wish now is just to quit and retire.
"When I have been falsely suspended I have really found myself: Mohamed Bin Hammam the man, the family man, the man of his friends, going back to my business, I have found peace in the last year and I wish to continue like it. I am 100% innocent in my actions in all the campaign and that was very important for me."
Read Mr Nyantakyi's entire statement below;
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.
.....signed.....
