Jonathan Mensah cleared to play for Black Stars despite ban

Contrary to earlier reports, Jonathan Mensah will be able to feature for the Black Stars despite his worldwide ban.

The four-month punitive measure was handed to the player for breaching transfer regulations in his move to Evian TG in 2011.

Mensah, 24, was hauled to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after his former team, Udinese, argued that transfer regulations were infringed upon during his move as a free agent to Evian.

CAS verdict was that the Ghana defender was under contract with the Italians and as a result, the player has been fined 1 million Euros. The amount is to be paid by Evian TG.

But a clarification now shows that Article 17 par. 3 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players will be available to play for Ghana in June in their first 2017 Afcon qualifier with Mauritius.

The explanation is that the said article means that Mensah will be suspended from the final day of the season of the French league, only to continue when the league resumes. 

It also means that in the period between when this season is done and a new one begins, the player will not be bound by the ruling and therefore, the Black Stars can utilize his services.

But Mensah will not be available for the team's next game against Rwanda on the weekend of 2-4 September as the ban would be in effect at the time.