Zambia FA reports Ghana to FIFA

Zambia FA (FAZ) has reported Ghana and Derek Boateng to FIFA, claiming the Fulham midfielder made provocative and inciting statement against the Chipolopolo ahead of next month’s decisive World Cup qualifying match.

The desperate Zambians are asking the world governing body to move the all-important final qualifier from Kumasi, claiming the alleged inciting statement could cause them to be harmed in the match on  September 6.
In their action that could rather infuriate football fans in Ghana, the Zambians are asking FIFA to sanction Ghana midfielder Boateng for his alleged provocative tone ahead of next Friday’s crucial 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifier.

This comes after Boateng called for a “revenge on the pitch” against the Zambians when the two sides clashed in their first meeting in the qualifiers in June last year.

But his words have not been digested well with FAZ seeking FIFA intervention or sanctions on the player for the ‘hate speech’ claiming it may incite Ghanaian fans.

FAZ Communications Manager, Erick Mwanza, confirmed that they would report the matter to FIFA claiming the Black Stars player was peddling hate speech that border on anger and hatred towards the Chipolopolo.

“For such we are writing to FIFA to bring to their attention this hate speech which can easily cause riotous situation which can easily get fans to be very hostile to extents of even causing harm,” Mwanza said.
“Because what Boateng said here is that they want to revenge against Zambia, what do they want to avenge?” Mwanza questioned.

“We beat them [Ghana] hands down 1-0, the way we beat them at the Nations Cup [2012 Africa Cup finals]. There are no two ways or questions about it.

“So we are writing to FIFA to bring to their attention this matter and if the Ghanaians continue with this kind of hate speech, I think our correspondences will not only cite Boateng or anybody else for sanctions but even to the extent of asking that the match be moved from Kumasi to another neutral venue.”