FIFA Blames Ghana FA For Boateng Switch Delay

World's football governing body, Fifa, is blaming the Ghana Football Association of failing to back the application for the nationality switch of Germany-born Kevin Prince Boateng.

Norway Under-21 goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey's quest to play for the Black Stars has also been delayed for similar reasons. The two players applied to Fifa 10 months ago to play for the West African country but the world body says the GFA has not provided the necessary documents.

"Regarding Adam Kwarasey, Fifa received a letter from the player, but in order for a consideration to be made, a formal request has to be made by the respective association," a Fifa spokesman told BBC Sport. "This has not been made at the time of writing. "Regarding Boateng, Fifa received a preliminary request but this is not complete, and as with the case above, Fifa are waiting for a formal request fulfilling all the requisites of Fifa Circular Letter 877."

According to Fifa regulations on international switches, the federation the player wishes to represent must provide evidence of the player's link to the country, including a passport. Boateng, 23, who plays for Portsmouth, chose to play for the Black Stars ahead of Germany, the country of his birth.

His father is a Ghanaian but the midfielder played for the German youth national teams before deciding to represent the Black Stars. His uncle Robert played for Ghana in the 1990s.Kwarasey, whose father hails from Navrongo in the Upper East region of Ghana, was born in Norway and plays for Stromgodset. The highly rated youngster is hoping that his height will gain him a place in Ghana's squad for future matches.

At 6ft 4in, Kwarasey is literally head and shoulders above Black Stars regulars Richard Kingston and Philemon McCarthy, who average 5ft 8in. Fifa has removed the age limit for players who want to switch national allegiance.

Source: BBC