Ghana FA writes to FIFA over banned Jonathan Mensah availability for AFCON qualifiers

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) says it will wait for an official communication from FIFA before deciding to use suspended defender Jonathan Mensah for Ghana when the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers start next month.

Ghana’s leading football news outlet GHANAsoccernet.com exclusively revealed on Tuesday that the France-based player can play for the Black Stars in their qualifiers against Mauritius next month.

The Evian defender was handed a worldwide ban by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last week sparking fears that he won’t be able to play for the Black Stars when the qualifiers start.

Some media outlets in Ghana were categorical with their claims that Mensah would not be available to play for his country until he serves his suspension which will end on 30 August.

However, the world governing body FIFA has told Ghana’s leading football news outfit that Mensah can play for the Black Stars in the qualifiers during the suspension.

Despite this revelation by GHANAsoccernet.com the GFA says it wants to be sure of the ruling from FIFA before a decision will be taken whether to use the defender for the qualifier.

“We have written to FIFA about the ruling to seek clarification whether he can play for Ghana without any problems,” Ghana FA spokesman Ibrahim Sannie Daara told Oman FM.

“We have read in the media that he can play in the qualifiers but as a federation we must have concrete evidence from FIFA before we play him so that we are on the safe side.

“We won’t make such mistakes by replying only on media reports. We must consult FIFA which we have done and we are hoping for the best outcome.”

Citing Article 17 par. 3 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, a FIFA spokesman told GHANAsoccernet.com that Mensah will be eligible to play for Ghana in the qualifiers.

“He can play for Ghana in World Cup qualifiers and any other matches that are not a final competition of an international tournament,” the spokesman for football’s world governing body told GHANAsoccernet.com exclusively on Tuesday.

This means Mensah will be able to play in the 2017 Nations Cup qualifier against Mauritius in June.

He was banned for breaking his contract with Italian side Udinese to sign for French side Evian.