“I’m not 100% righteous but I have never paid a bribe to win over Kotoko, Alex Kotey will hear from my lawyers – George Afriyie
George Afriyie, the former football administrator and ex-Ghana Football Association vice president, has finally broken his silence in response to serious allegations leveled against him by referee Alex Kotei. Kotei had previously accused Afriyie of attempting to bribe him during his tenure at Gamba All Blacks years ago. Afriyie has categorically denied these allegations, calling them baseless and inaccurate.
In a statement that has now gone viral, Afriyie took to social media to clear his name, addressing both the bribery claims and a particular incident involving Kotei.
Speaking on Kessben FM he emphatically stated that he is “not 100% righteous,” acknowledging that no one is above reproach, but firmly asserted that during his time at Gamba All Blacks, Kotei never officiated any of the three games he played against the powerhouse club, Asante Kotoko.
This disclosure has raised eyebrows, as it directly challenges Kotey’s credibility and the specific context of the alleged bribery attempt. Afriyie’s comments have sparked a wave of reaction from football fans and pundits alike, who are now questioning the veracity of Kotei’s allegations.
The bribery claim first surfaced several years ago when Alex Kotei, a respected referee in Ghanaian football circles, accused George Afriyie of attempting to influence the outcome of a game involving Gamba All Blacks and Asante Kotoko. Kotei had asserted that Afriyie, in his capacity as a key figure at the All Blacks, approached him with an offer of money in exchange for favorable officiating.
Afriyie has consistently denied the allegation, but the issue lingered in the public domain for years, with many questioning the integrity of both men involved. Now, after years of silence, Afriyie has taken a more formal step by instructing his legal team to take action against Kotei, signaling his intention to clear his name in a more decisive manner.
Afriyie’s latest comments come as part of his broader response to the lingering accusations. By revealing that Kotei did not officiate any of the three matches between Gamba All Blacks and Kotoko during his tenure at the club, Afriyie hopes to undermine the specific context of Kotei’s allegation. He claims that there was no opportunity for the alleged bribery attempt to take place during those encounters.
Afriyie’s mention of his lawyers taking action against Kotei suggests that he is prepared to pursue legal avenues in order to protect his reputation and hold Kotei accountable for what he considers to be a false and damaging accusation. His statement further serves to position him as someone committed to transparency and accountability, particularly in the face of accusations that have lingered in the public domain.
Kotey, for his part, has yet to respond publicly to Afriyie’s recent comments. Given the gravity of the legal action now being pursued, it is likely that Kotei will be forced to issue a formal statement or prepare to defend his allegations in court.
As the situation continues to develop, the larger issue of corruption and match-fixing in Ghanaian football remains at the forefront of public discourse. The incident highlights the persistent challenges facing the sport in the country, where issues of officiating integrity and transparency have often been contentious.
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