Alhaji Raji accuses GFA of being unfair to Palmer

Former Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), Alhaji Ali Raji, has waded into a controversy by claiming that Wilfred Kwaku Osei Palmer was unfairly treated by the current Ghana Football Association (GFA) leadership.

According to the veteran football administrator, the Kurt Okraku administration could have mitigated the effect on the Tema Youth owner after his disqualification from the last GFA presidential election with tact and managerial acumen, instead of sitting aloof as the case dragged on at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“Palmer was not treated well. Kurt didn’t manage it well; there was a lot of ego at play on the part of the GFA and now we are at the mercy of CAS,” he told Graphic Sports in an exclusive interview in Accra last Thursday.

Alhaji Raji said he believed that if Mr Okraku had engaged Palmer soon after winning the election, listened to him and worked things out with him, tranquility would have prevailed at the FA and things couldn’t have gone overboard.

“If things were handled well by this current FA and the aggrieved parties were given a hearing and brought on board, we would not have to contend with CAS,” he explained.

He, however, stated that the outcome of the case would not have any adverse effect on Ghana football and the GFA.

He delved into the resumption of football activities in the country, saying that was a non-starter.

“We must not be deceived that what is happening in Europe can happen in Ghana. Footballers in Europe are tested continuously but we don’t have the capacity for that in Ghana,” he stated.

He noted that it would be a big mistake to restart the league when the virus was still lurking around and blamed the FA for not properly engaging the Presidency on the modalities for ensuring a safe Premier League season.

“The FA has not been proactive enough. There is no correspondence between them and the Presidency for the safe re-opening of the various leagues.
“Clubs can’t play in an empty stadium; they won’t make any money,” he stressed.