FIFA dismisses Nigeria, Ghana bribery claims

FIFA has cleared Ghana and Nigeria of any wrongdoing after a Nigerian state governor gave the visiting Ghanaian team $25,000 following the loss of a key World Cup match.

But both national associations have been warned of the "considerable ethical problems and legal uncertainties" over such gifts and been urged there be no repeat.

The money was handed over after Ghana were beaten by Nigeria for the first time for 17 years in a World Cup qualifying match last July.

The result sent Nigeria to next year's World Cup finals and eliminated West African rivals Liberia.

Ghana's parliamentary opposition had demanded a full inquiry into the payments, accepted by players and officials, while the Liberian Football Association petitioned FIFA, alleging bribery.

But FIFA's disciplinary committee has ruled the cash was not bribery as it was offered after the match at a public event, adding that gifts for opposing national teams seemed to be a local custom.

The ruling, faxed to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Friday, said: "The FIFA disciplinary committee came to the conclusion that the behaviour of the two associations involved did not constitute bribery.

"There is no evidence of any cause or connection between the amount of $25,000 offered by the Nigeria governor and the result of the match in question."

PLAYED A PART
FIFA said the fact the gift was offered by the governor of Nigeria's Rivers State rather than an official of the Nigerian Football Association also played a part in their decision.

However, general-secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen warned the two countries' football associations of the "considerable ethical problems and legal uncertainties related to such financial gifts" and urged them not to accept them in future.

Ghana's team coach Osam Duodu had blamed the defeat on foreign based players failing to turn up. Ghana had no chance of qualifying even if they had won.

Two weeks ago, GFA's executive council dismissed the bribery allegations as "unfounded and without merit" and absolved the association's chairman Ben Koufie of any wrongdoing.

But Ghana's main opposition party called for an independent public inquiry into the affair and the resignation of both Koufie and deputy sports minister Joe Aggrey, who led the contingent to Nigeria but did not accept any money.

A spokesman for the Nigerian governor involved had previously described the money as "an extension of our hospitality."

The game on July 29 was played in Port Harcourt. Koufie had said he received $400 from the total.