WinnerOnline-Editorial

Anyone who follows European football (soccer), knows all about the havoc wreaked by the "Robert Hoyzer Affair."

Hoyzer was a referee who was a key figure in a match-fixing scandal that rocked Bundesliga back in 2005.

It was eventually revealed that he affected the outcomes of German Cup games in association with a Croatian Crime Syndicate and even UEFA was implicated.

Although he initially denied it, Hoyzer eventually 'fessed up and received jail time.

A similar situation could be taking shape in Ghana.

According to Canadian author Declan Hill, in his book "The Fix," a 2006 World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil and Ghana (3-0 win for Brazil) had its outcome compromised by an Asian Crime Syndicate.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) says that Hill's claims are ludicrous and will launch legal action.

In a statement the GFA said:

In view of the seriousness of the allegations against the Ghana Football Association and its players, we have decided to pursue the following lines of action.

(i) We have lodged an official complaint with the Ghana Police Service to investigate the allegations which are criminal in character and possess the unbridled tendency to impugn the sovereign integrity of Ghana.

(ii) We have decided to institute legal action against Declan Hill, the publisher of his book, “Sichere Siege” and publishers of the German Magazine, “Der Spiegel” for publishing defamatory statements about the Ghana Football Association and its players.

(iii) Without prejudice to the foregoing, we have decided to seek the advice of our lawyers on any further cause of action that may be available against Declan Hill, and publishers of the defamatory statements.