Frederick Acheampong, Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council member, has denied embezzling $20,000 cash from former Black Stars player, Ransford Osei.
Fred Achie clarified in a statement released on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, that he has not asked nor received such an amount from the player in all his dealings with him as Marketing and Communication of Kessben FC.
He labbled the former Asante Kotoko striker’s claims as absurd and demanded proof of payments else he would seek redress.
“If he fails to provide the evidence to back up his absurd claims, I will be left with no choice than to use all legal means including the law courts to clear my name…,” part of the statement reads.
“I never asked, nor received $20,000 from Ransford Osei for any purpose and hereby challenge him to provide the proof or retract and apologise.”
Ransford Osei claimed that former Hearts of Oak striker, Prince Tagoe took his slot in the Black Stars squad for the 2010 World Cup.
Osei alleged that Tagoe got the nod because Frederick Acheampong embezzled his $20,000 appreciation fee for unnamed GFA officials.
Osei narrated that, after getting a call-up for the 2010 AFCON, Achie who suggested that he pay a token as an appreciation for the officials who played a role in his call-up.
Speaking in a video sighted by Ghanasportspage, the former U-20 World Cup winner alleged that Achie held on to the money and subsequently cost him a place in the World Cup squad.
“He did something that really hurt me. It hit my soul, that is why I am saying this. He ended my career. When I came home, you said we need to do this and that. $20,000…This issue I’ve told so many significant people but you know in Ghana there is no truthfulness so sometimes I don’t want to talk about it. He kept the money and didn’t give it to the people.”
“When I came, I gave him money and said that is yours but this one($20,000) is for the appreciation you suggested. It was not a bribe, it was appreciation. Because the squad that went for the tournament, I wasn’t supposed to be part but one player fell ill and I replaced him. So it wasn’t a bribe but I appreciate that I was given the opportunity. Because I didn’t even kick a ball but I have earned money so this is my appreciation. But he didn’t give them the money. My mum said she had a dream about him not giving the money to them and I told her “No, Archie won’t do that”…Then I went back to FC Twente.”
“In 2010, I wasn’t named in the squad so I called and asked him ‘Achie, why am I not in the squad?’ he said Randy says I am young and I have more years ahead of me so they should give Prince Tagoe a chance. That means they have given my slot to Prince Tagoe all because something did not happen.”
