20th March, 2012
Sacked Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic has written to the world’s football governing body, FIFA, to impress on the Ghana Police and the Ghana Football Association, GFA, to beef up his security because his safety is under threat.
The GFA, after several weeks of consultations with the Serbian trainer and other stakeholders, made public its decision yesterday.
Many have agitated for the 45-year-old’s sack following his inability to lead Ghana to its fifth African cup triumph earlier this year in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
A letter signed by his lawyer, Zoran Andjic, and addressed to FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, alleged that the Serbian’s life is in danger as he remains in Ghana to finalise his compensation package, adding that FA officials say they cannot guarantee his safety.
“We are shocked, and scared and fearful for our safety and our lives, because vice president of the GFA, Jordan Anagblah, told us that from now on, no one can guarantee security of our client Goran Stevanovic on the territory of Ghana and that anything can happen to him and that they can’t prevent it,” the letter read in part.
It added: “We plead with you urgently to urge the GFA, the Ministry of Police (Interior) and the President of Ghana government, to guarantee the safety of our client Mr. Goran Stevanovic, because these things are against all statutes and regulations of the FIFA.”
The 45-year-old Serbian was officially sacked from his job as Ghana coach on Monday morning after leading the Black Stars to a fourth-place finish at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.