Tetteh bemoans corruption in Ghana football

The President and Founder of Purejoy Stars FC, Isaac Tetteh says he is grieving at the high level of corruption in Ghana Football.

Purejoy Stars have been relegated to the Second Division after placing 8th in Zone Three 'A' of the National Division One League, which Tetteh attributes largely to corrupt practices by opposing club officials.

Mr Tetteh told GNA Sports that the Division One League, which is also christened as “Wilderness of Ghana Football” is engulfed in staid unprofessional conducts including match-fixing and referee influencing, among others, hence worthy champions are not usually produced.

“I challenge you (media) to go down and expose corruption affecting Ghana football. There is massive corruption in Ghana football and all hands must be on deck to eradicate that canker.”

Mr Tetteh, who is also a Management and Board Member of Accra Hearts of Oak expressed worry that his refusal to dance to the tune of influencing officials led to his Club being victims of biased officiating amidst disgusting interpretation of the rules of the game.

“My principle is never to bribe a referee to officiate a game in my favour. Do you expect me to pay winning bonuses to my technical team and playing body for a match I influenced the referee?

“Some of these actions really frustrated my players, especially during away matches. Also some clubs have special referees who handled most of their matches, and if you doubt you can crosscheck,” he explained.

Mr Tetteh popularly known as TT Brothers added that “Even though we have been relegated, I'm very proud of my players whose efforts were dwarfed by unprofessional conducts by some persons.

“I'm not just complaining because my club has been relegated, but champions must be produced on merit”, he added.

He urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to discard the insistence on provision of evidence with respect to allegations about corruption in the local game and rather devise steps at making the game clean.

Mr Tetteh added that some of such actions may deter individuals and companies from investing in football in the country if concrete steps are not taken to stop the canker which seems to have eaten deep into Ghana football at most levels.

“I had high expectations when I entered into Club Management two years ago, but the results are disappointing to say the least.”

He announced that his foreign partners, Parmalat (A South African beverage producing outfit) have terminated their relationship with the Club following their demotion to the third tier of Ghana football.

“My partners have told me they can't continue again and it is a big blow. They have also withdrawn resources towards a sports complex at Prampram just when the project was about to kick-start.

“This is because they pumped in so much resource and there are no positive results. Our monthly expenditure was about 20,000 Ghana cedis and this will generally affect the entire structure of the Club.”

Mr Tetteh also announced his disinterest in managing the Club any longer but added that he will support any individual or institution desirous of taking over the club.

With dejection grown all over his face, Tetteh has challenged all authorities to come on board to fight corruption to save the country's football.

“My humble plea is to the President, Minister of Youth and Sports, GFA President and the national Sports Council to come together to fight corruption in Ghana football, else we will fail as a nation.”