Managing Director of Accra Hearts of Oak Mark Daniel Noonan says he sensed rot at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) the very day he was denied a copy of the media right sponsorship deal with Star Times for the premier league clubs.
The American spoke to Kumasi based radio FOX 97.9 FM on the famous Number 12 Exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Tiger eye PI. The investigative piece (video) which was premiered on June 6, 2018, in Accra and later to the other parts of the country, portrayed several football officials including the former President of the GFA, referees and others engaging in alleged acts of corrupt practices.
According to Mark Daniel Noonan, he once requested for the copy of the media right sponsorship deal which the GFA signed with Chinese company Star-Times but was denied access and from that day he knew that something wasn't right at the FA, and he believes the Anas Number 12 video justifies his thoughts.
"When the CEO of one of the most important premier league clubs in the country can't get a copy of the media right deal from the FA, I knew something wasn't right", Noonan told FOX 97.9 FM.
Noonan stated, that he is not pointing fingers at any individuals, but it amazes him that in Europe (England) such deals are made available to the clubs, unlike in Ghana.
"It's amazing to me that if a friend like Ivan Gazidis at Arsenal (Arsenal CEO) asks for the media right deal for the premier league he will be furnished with that by his week and the fact that I couldn't get a copy of that told me something wasn't right, and obviously there is a lot that's not right and we need to come together as a country and fix it", Noon stated.
For the records, Mark Noon's Hearts of Oak is one of the clubs used by the Tiger Eye PI as a case study in the Number 12 Exposé to prove suspected match-fixing issues in Ghana football.
The documentary which has since become subject of several lawsuits by persons caught on camera in alleged acts of corrupt practices has led to the resignation of Kwasi Nyantakyi as the GFA president, suspension of football in the country and referees banned as a result.