StarTimes deny frustrating premiere of Anas #12 documentary

Broadcast rights holders of the Ghana Premier League (GPL), StarTimes Group have denied frustrating ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas in his attempt to screen his eagerly anticipated documentary on Ghana football titled: Number 12.

Media reports on Saturday afternoon suggested that three days before the premiere of the Number 12 documentary on June 6, Chinese multinational media company StarTimes had written to Anas Armeyaw Anas’ Tiger Eye PI warning them not to use any footage of the Ghana Premier League in the expose.

However, in a statement signed by StarTimes Ghana's Head of Marketing, Akofa Djankui, the pay television network revealed that it has not yet been approached by Tiger Eye PI or any investigative team for footage on any matches and it is willing to cooperate with any recognized group or agency who require their services for an investigation.

"StarTimes’ attention has been drawn to a publication making the rounds on social media of our refusal to cooperate with Tiger Eye PI on its investigations into issues of Ghana Football," the statement said.

"StarTimes can state categorically that we have not been approached by Tiger Eye PI or any investigative team for footage on any of the GPL matches we have covered so far".

The statement also urged all well-meaning Ghanaians to ignore such publications.

GPL match-fixing exposed in Number 12

The much-anticipated documentary, titled “Number 12,” is said to have captured the fixing of several games in the GPL over the course of two seasons.

The instances of match-fixing are said to include the exchange of monies to pre-determine the scores of games as well as crucial incidents in games.

It features collusion among the match fixers and referees, club administrators and GFA officials.

StarTimes GPL Broadcast deal

In 2016, pay-TV operator, StarTimes Group, signed a ground-breaking media agreement with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), vowing to promote the Ghana Premier League in sub-Saharan Africa and help in the development of the game in the country in the coming decade.

According to the strategic partnership agreement reached in Beijing, China, StarTimes acquires all media rights of the Ghana Premier League, the Gala, the National Division One League, the MTN FA Cup, the Ghana Women’s League and the Ghana Juvenile League for the next 10 years.

StarTimes will pay $17,950,000 for the deal, provide 10 artificial pitches and a fully equipped modern OB van for the GFA over the next 10 years.

Commenting about the deal the embattled GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi - who is currently facing a Police probe as a result of the Number 12 documentary - said: “StarTimes is a world brand and well-known in the whole of Africa. Ghana football is also a well-known brand and our national team is one of strongest powers in Africa.

“We authorise media rights of all major leagues or tournaments under Ghana Football Association to StarTimes. And StarTimes will deeply involve itself in the production and promotion of these leagues and bring much investment to our country,” he said.

Read the entire StarTimes statement below;

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DISCLAIMER

StarTimes’ attention has been drawn to a publication making the rounds on social media of our refusal to cooperate with Tiger Eye PI on its investigations into issues of Ghana Football.

StarTimes can state categorically that we have not been approached by Tiger Eye PI or any investigative team for footage on any of the GPL matches we have covered so far. Indeed footage and highlights of all matches produced by StarTimes for Television are available on the StarTimes APP and on our Facebook page.

StarTimes is, therefore, appealing to all well-meaning Ghanaians to ignore the said publication. We have and will always abide by the regulations and rules of any engagement that has brought our business this far. Once again, we would like the general public to ignore the said publication. We will, however, cooperate with any recognized group or agency who require our services for any investigation.

StarTimes remains committed to the growth of Ghana Football.