Nyantakyi's lifetime ban is too harsh – Kweku Baako

The Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Mr Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr has described as harsh the decision of FIFA to hand a lifetime ban to former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi.

Football’s world governing body, FIFA, handed a life ban to Mr Nyantakyi on Tuesday, after the adjudicating chamber of FIFA’s Independent Ethics Committee found him guilty of multiple ethical violations.

The former football chief was found guilty of violating FIFA Code of Ethics in respect of Conflict of Interest, Bribery and Commission.

Mr Nyantakyi has additionally been fined 500,000 Swiss Francs (over GH₡2.4million).

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Contributing to a radio discussion as a panelist on Accra-based Peace FM on Wednesday, Mr Baako questioned the number of years FIFA banned its former head Sepp Blatter, Jerome Valcke and Michel Platini and others who were found guilty of similar acts.

‘It appears to me the ban is too harsh. Sepp Blatter, how many years was he banned, and one other person I know it wasn’t for life. And you ban Nyantakyi for life, after that, you say he should pay 500,000 Swiss Francs,” he questioned.

Interestingly, he advised Mr Nyantakyi not to pay the fine since he had already been banned for life.

"If I were to be him, I will not pay. Will there be sanction if he doesn’t pay? You have banned the person for life… If you were to ban me for ten years in default banning for life, I mean it makes sense. But you have banned me for life relative to sports administration, management etc after that you want me to pay 500,000 Swiss Francs….. You have banned me for life that is the maximum,’ he said.

Mr Baako admitted he has mixed feelings regarding the fate of Mr Nyantakyi and advised Ghanaians not to condemn the former FA boss, because he had contributed massively to Ghana Football.

Background

Ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas petitioned FIFA to investigate allegations of corruption against the former president of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, which were captured in a documentary titled Number12.

Read Also: Anas petitions FIFA to investigate Kwesi Nyantakyi

The mentor of Anas, Mr Baako, however, said he considers Nyantakyi as a good friend but there was nothing he could have done to prevent the investigative Journalist from carrying out his duty.

“It’s a work Anas did, he presented it..., they set on it, they dealt with it and they’ve vindicated his [Anas] case. That is something you cannot take away from the young man. Unfortunately in the process, somebody, I considered a good friend and a gentleman. It’s painful but we have to learn to live with such pains,” Mr Baako said.