Coach Sarpong: Probe influence in player selection

Veteran coach, Josef Emmanuel Sarpong, has tasked the Ethics Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to investigate the public perception of influence in player selection into the Black Stars by football chiefs.

“Manipulation of team selection by the FA and the public outcry about this practice must be investigated, even if it is a perception.

“This is because, in every human institution, which the FA is not an exception, there is bound to be manipulations, interference and interventions,” Coach Sarpong stated in an exclusive interview with Graphic Sports.

Describing the perception of player selection as a canker that was preventing the Black Stars from excelling at international tournaments, he said probing into the issue and shaming those involved would deter them from engaging in future team selection and allow those entrusted with the job of managing the Black Stars to do their work more efficiently.

“It is only when those entrusted with the Black Stars job are given a free hand to operate that in the event of any failure, nobody would point accusing fingers at any official.

“But truth must be told that there is some interference in there,” Coach Sarpong explained.

He said a probe into the allegations of influence in team selection by FA officials would ensure neutrality.

“It is only when the members are neutral that they can do a good job and come out with a solid solution to address the canker killing Ghana football,” Coach Sarpong noted.