Reports: African players paid money to play at FIFA World Cup 2022

French journalist Romain Molina in a youtube video accused the federation of corruption.

French football journalist Romain Molina has accused the Ghana and Cameroon federation of accepting bribes from players to play at the FIFA World Cup 2022. In his latest Youtube video, Molina accused the two blocks of receiving money from players and playing in matches for them.

Alleged Corruption

Molina's explosive allegations have turned everyone's head towards the African federations once again. Ghana and Cameroon could not make it out of the group stage in Qatar. At the same time, Cameroon suspended goalkeeper Andre Onana for the final fixture of the group stage for not being 'conventional' with his playing style.

In the video by Romain Molina, he says, with the January transfer window closing in it becomes a hotbed for agents. They picture the players to attract a higher-value deal. The two federations haven't yet responded to the accusation but the cloud of corruption once again comes over African football.

The French journalist went on to allege that Ghana players paid money to be selected for the team for the World Cup. When Ghanaian coach Otto Addo announced the squad he faced huge criticism from the fans. Ghana Football Federation president Kurt Okraku has also come under the scanner for his heavy indulgence in selecting the squad.

Previous Charges

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ahmad was banned for five years by FIFA on corruption charges. He was fined $220,000 for the same in November 2021.

In 2019, the journalist who echoed the corruption in Ghanaian football was shot dead. Fingers began pointing at the officials for their hand in the murder. The disconnect has been through and through among the fans and the national body. On one side where Morocco is raising the African continent's head. They knocked out Spain and Portugal to reach the semis; on the other side corruption once again targets the continent.

The question looms over the continent's football body for accountability in spending funds. Two journalists Oluwashina Okeleji from Nigeria, and Amr Fahmy from Egypt accused the body of lack of accountability in football management earlier this year.