CAS dismisses George Afriyie’s election case against GFA

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal lodged by George Akwasi Afriyie against the decision of the GFA Appeals Committee on the 2023 GFA Presidential elections.

In a decision delivered to both parties on Monday, May 6, 2024, the CAS confirmed the decision of the GFA Appeals Committee and ordered George Akwasi Afriyie to pay the costs.

George Akwasi Afriyie, the appellant in the case, has been ordered to pay an amount of CHF 1,000.00 (one thousand Swiss francs) to the Ghana Football Association as a contribution to the legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration.

Aside from that, the CAS also ruled that the costs of the arbitration, which will be determined separately, will be borne by George Akwasi Afriyie.

On 29 September 2023, George Akwasi Afriyie filed an appeal with the CAS against the GFA regarding the decision of the GFA Appeals Committee. In his appeal, George Akwasi Afriyie sought an order directing the GFA Electoral Committee to allow him to run for the position of GFA President.

He also sought an order vacating any GFA presidential election held by the GFA pending final determination of the case and an order directing the GFA to hold new elections.

The GFA, which was represented in this matter by Ms Naa Odofoley Nortey (Esq.), Beyuo & Company and the Secretary General, Prosper Harrison Addo (Esq.), argued that the Elections Committee and the Appeals Committee were right by disqualifying George. Akwasi Afriyie and did not meet the criteria set out in Article 30(3) of the GFA Statutes.

In its response, the GFA stated, among other things, that the appellant’s endorsement by a GFA member was made through a person whose name was not part of the club’s list of authorized signatories, a fact that the appellant , George Akwasi Afriyie, knew or should have known at the time of submitting the application that it was false. The GFA also stated that the appeal had no legal basis and could only reasonably be classified as forum shopping by the appellant on the basis of the same facts.

After due consideration of all evidence presented and all submissions presented, the CAS concluded that there are no valid grounds to overturn the decision rendered by the GFA Appeals Committee and upheld the decision of the Electoral Committee on the basis that the nomination of the Appellant, contrary to the GFA statutes and regulations, was supported by four members instead of the five required by the GFA.

The CAS decision closes the matter of the disqualification of George Akwasi Afriyie from the 2023 GFA presidential election.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS