GFA To Sue Persons Who Defame Association and “Black Stars Brand”

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has threatened legal action against persons who are defaming the association and the “Black Stars brand.”

Following the early exit of the Black Stars from the World Cup, a section of Ghanaians, journalists, and sports enthusiasts have slammed the GFA for pursuing their personal interests against the interests of Ghanaians. Some have also criticized the FA for not rendering proper accountability to the state for the funds advanced to them for successive World Cup tournaments.

However, the association said in a statement that it is open to criticism but will not entertain deliberate misinformation or defamatory comments.

“While the Association will continue to encourage feedback and opinions (devoid of insults, personal attacks, and brand devaluation), the protection of the brands from deliberate lies, misinformation, and defamatory comments must be curbed, as the Black Stars remain a global brand that unites all Ghanaians.”

“The Ghana Football Association has therefore instructed its lawyers to institute legal action against persons who defame the association, its officials, products, and the Black Stars brand, as well as the media platforms used to do so,” the statement added.

Read the full statement from the GFA below:

Following the exit of the senior national team, the Black Stars, from the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, the Ghana Football Association issued a statement dated December 2, 2022 (the same day of the third match). We apologized to the general public and all stakeholders and also indicated that we would continue with the positive lessons going into the future.

The GFA has since kept an open mind and continues to listen and receive comments, suggestions, and ideas from well-meaning Ghanaians both at home and abroad for the improvement of the team.

Unfortunately, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has noticed that a few individuals are deliberately maligning and defaming the GFA and the Black Stars brand in an attempt to manufacture a non-existent scandal about the team.

While the Association will continue to encourage feedback and opinions devoid of insults, personal attacks, and brand devaluation, the protection of the brands from deliberate lies, misinformation, and defamatory comments must be curbed, as the Black Stars remain a global brand that unites all Ghanaians.

The Ghana Football Association has therefore instructed its lawyers to institute legal action against persons who defame the association, its officials, products, and the Black Stars brand, as well as the media platforms used to do so.

The legal forum will provide the opportunity for these persons to present any evidence to substantiate their allegations.

The association will continue to encourage opinions and comments aimed at improving the team and the brand.

Once again, the Association wishes to express its profound gratitude to all persons and stakeholders for their positive suggestions and ideas towards the improvement of the team and the Football Association.

Meanwhile, some sports journalists have called the bluff of the football association, arguing that the statement is ill-timed and it is within the rights of Ghanaians to voice their sentiments about the lackluster performance of the team.