Fifa has strongly backed the under-fire Ghana U-20 coach Sellas Tetteh in his decision to drop Sadick Adams from the World Youth Championship squad, insisting the Spain-based striker is not qualified to play in the tournament.
The Black Satellites coach has been accused by two of his players of taking bribes before naming his squad for next week�s tournament in Egypt, which has prompted a national probe into the issue.
Tetteh said he dropped Adams, who was handed a four-month ban by Fifa in May, because the suspension will still be in force during the tournament. But in a jaw-dropping allegation the striker hit out at the coach, claiming that the reasons for his exclusion from the final squad are FALSE.
Adams, who was banned by Fifa to registering for two clubs, said his suspension does not affect his association with the national team. The former Ashgold forward added that he was left out of the squad because of machinations from the authorities and the technical team led by Tetteh.
But in a stinging rebuke to Adams' claims, Fifa said in an exclusive statement to Ghanasoccernet.com, that the striker will not be able to play at the tournament because the ban also affects his international career.
"The sanction imposed on the player shall take effect from the start of the first season following the notification of the decision, which was in May 2009," Fifa said in an exclusive statement to Ghanasoccernet.com. "Thus, the sanction started with the new season that is now under way. "The sanction is valid on both national and international levels."
It comes as a huge relief to Tetteh as there have been calls for him to be sacked following claims from Adams and Ishmael Yartey. The Fifa revelation all but ends Adams� association with the national teams as coaches are likely to be petrified of similar claims from the player if he is dropped in future.
Government has ordered an investigation after Portugal-based Ishmael Yartey also accused Tetteh of taking bribes before naming his squad. The Satellites are currently in Tunisia to finalize preparations before their tournament opener against Uzbekistan in Group D on 26 September.
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