My opinions not for GHALCA - Fianoo

The chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), Kudjoe Fianoo, has responded to members of the association who distanced themselves from his recent criticisms of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Fianoo clarified that his comments reflected his personal views and not the official stance of GHALCA.

Speaking to Graphic Sports last Friday, Fianoo emphasised that as a tax-paying citizen and stakeholder in Ghanaian football, he had every right to express concerns about the state of the sport.

"Just like any other Ghanaian who pays tax, I have a right to express my views on football matters. Holding the chairmanship of GHALCA doesn't mean everything I say represents the association’s position," he said.

Fianoo’s remarks follow a statement by some GHALCA members distancing themselves from his criticism of the FA's management.

However, Fianoo stressed that his comments were made in his personal capacity, and he did not seek permission from the association to speak on its behalf.

"Even though I’m the GHALCA chairman, I think I have my own opinions. I haven’t asked GHALCA for permission to speak on their behalf. But as a citizen of Ghana, I have the liberty to raise concerns," he clarified.

Fianoo further explained that his right to criticise the GFA stemmed from the fact that public funds, including his taxes, were used to support the Black Stars.

"If I speak and I make sense, people will support me. If not, I should be held accountable. I’m an industry player, and when I see we’re not getting the results we deserve, I have to speak up. My taxes contribute to the Black Stars, so I have a say," he asserted.

Fianoo insisted that those who distanced themselves from his views misunderstood his intentions.

"Nowhere did I say I was speaking on behalf of GHALCA. Those issuing that statement got it wrong," he said.

Fianoo called on his fellow GHALCA members to publicly defend the performance of the FA President, Kurt Simeon-Okraku, if they believed his tenure had been successful, rather than hiding behind anonymous statements.

"If they think the FA President is doing well, they should come out and praise him openly, instead of issuing anonymous statements to distance themselves from my comments," he challenged.

The GHALCA chairman also pointed out that, according to the association’s constitution, only the chairman or a designated representative had the authority to speak for the association. He revealed that the statement distancing GHALCA from his remarks was not authorised by him, and no one was bold enough to sign it.

"The GHALCA constitution gives the chairman the sole right to speak on behalf of the association unless I delegate someone. Whoever issued that statement didn’t have my permission, so it couldn’t have come from the association," Fianoo stated.