Deadline for Ayew Brothers is Thursday

• Posted on August 20, 2013
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Andre and Jordan Ayew must write to the Ghana FA by Thursday to confirm their availability for Ghana before they can be named in the Black Stars squad to face Zambia in the crucial World Cup qualifier next month.

Coach Kwesi Appiah cannot name the France-based brothers in the squad to face the Chipolopolo in Kumasi on 6 September if they don’t make themselves eligible to play for Ghana by the deadline set the world governing body FIFA.

The Ayews wrote an official letter to the GFA and their club Marseille in February to announce their decisions to leave the national team but have since changed their minds.

This means the Marseille duo must write a letter rescinding their decision to retire from the Black Stars before Ghana can select them for future matches. That is because as they have not written an official letter to rescind their temporary retirement decision they are not officially eligible to play for Ghana.

According to FIFA rules, countries must inform clubs of their players of the decision to invite them for international qualifiers 15 days before the match. With Thursday being the last day before coach Kwesi Appiah must inform clubs of his decision invite their players for the Black Stars to face Zambia, the Ayews must write the letter before they are considered for the match.

“Associations wishing to call up a player must notify the player in writing at least 15 days before the day of the match for which he is required,” Article 3.2 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of the Players states.

“Associations wishing to call up a player for the ? nal competition of an international tournament must notify the player in writing at least 15 days before the beginning of the 14-day preparation period.

“The player’s club shall also be informed in writing at the same time. The club must con?rm the release of the player within the following six days.”

As the Ayews have not officially written to renounce their decisions, they are still unavailable for international football and their club could decline an invitation from Ghana since they have not received a letter saying the Ayews are now available for international football.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) will not call up the trio until they have officially informed their clubs that they have come out of international retirement.

The GFA does not want a conflict with the duo’s club and will not request their release for international duty until each player formally notifies their employers and the GFA of their decision to be available for the country. The request is similar to what Asamoah Gyan did when he ended his self-imposed exile from Ghana’s national team.

The Ayews turned their backs on Ghana in February claiming they have a row with the Black Stars management, a claim the management denies.

ghanasoccernet.com