Ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has sincerely apologized for the crisis his investigative piece dubbed 'Number 12' may have caused to football tournaments and activities in the Ghana.
Speaking in a TV3 exclusive interview on Wednesday, June 27 hosted by Michael Oti Adjei, Anas said he only set out to ensure that football affairs in Ghana should be devoid of bribery, corruption, and other bad practices.
“To be honest, I am just learning for the first time that this one has stopped the under 17 women; I did not know. I do not follow football… if I have hurt the feelings of these people, I can only say I apologize,†he said in the one-on-one interview with TV’s Michael Oti Adjei.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas expose has uncovered the rot in the football industry with over 77 referees caught receiving bribes. Former Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyanteky was also involved in the video premiered on 6th June 2018 at the Accra Conference Center receiving money which has led to his resignation off the hot seat.
FIFA, following the investigative piece of Anas Aremeyaw Anas, placed a 90-day ban on the former President.
Ghana’s Football Association is currently being dissolved by the government, an action many fear could result in the world football governing body FIFA banning Ghana from participating in its activities.
“I went into this story looking for good and quality football for Ghana, I think we are better than what we are displaying and I think that part of it is as a result of bad leadership, bad referees, and bad Ghana sports authorities that is why my investigation looked all these areas.
“I know that some of them will not be happy, but my intention was not to grind everything to a halt. My intention was for us to do retrospection into seeing where things have gone haywire and to find lasting solutions so that in five or six years to come, we will have a formidable national football team,†he clarified.
Read also :Â Full video of 'Number 12' will silence Nyantakyi immediately - Anas
According to the undercover journalist, a lot of Ghanaians invest their emotions in the game and therefore do not deserve match-fixing by referees and football authorities.