The National Sports Authority (NSA) has denied allegations that some individuals at the Authority collected about US$623,000 from some members of the public promising to facilitate visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Authoritiy in response issued a statement vehemently denying any links to the purported facilitation of visas at a fee as reported.

It said, "The NSA categorically denies establishing, authorising or operating any office at the stadium for the collection of money or facilitation of visas of any kind".

It further went on to clarify the role of TRIBE FEST, (also called TRiBE Culture Fest) a FIFA‑licensed international sports, culture, and tourism platform which colloborared with the Sports Authroty druing the World Cup stating that,

“For the avoidance of doubt, TRIBE FEST was a FIFA licensed partner in assisting with Fans-Experience activities, World Cup viewing events and event mobilisation in collaboration with the NSA and the Ghana Tourism Authority as well as other collaborators,” it said.

However, the Authority stressed that the partnership did not authorise TRIBE FEST or any NSA employee to collect money from the public for visa procurement.

“That arrangement did not extend to authorise TRIBE FEST, any NSA employee or any other person to collect money for the procurement of visas on behalf of the NSA,” the statement said.

The NSA further said it was aware of reports that a petition had been submitted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service over the allegations.

It said, however, that it had not been officially notified of the full details of the alleged petition and would therefore not speculate about its contents or the individuals reportedly named.

“The NSA takes the allegations seriously and will cooperate fully with the Ghana Police Service in any lawful investigation,” it said.

The Authority added that its Director-General and any other officer would make themselves available and provide the necessary assistance if invited by the Police.

“The Director-General and any other officer of the Authority will make themselves available and provide all necessary assistance if invited by the Police,” the statement added.

The NSA said it expects anyone found to have engaged in wrongdoing to be dealt with in accordance with the law if credible evidence is established.

“If credible evidence establishes wrongdoing by any employee, official or third party, the NSA expects the Police to deal with the person responsible in accordance with the law and assures the public of its full cooperation,” it said.

The Authority, however, cautioned against attributing the alleged conduct of individuals to the institution without evidence that such actions were authorised.

“The alleged conduct of any individual should not, however, be attributed to the NSA as an institution unless the facts establish that the conduct was duly authorised by the Authority,” it said.

The NSA has consequently urged the public and the media to exercise restraint and allow the appropriate state institutions to investigate the allegations.

“The NSA urges the public and the media to exercise restraint, refrain from presenting unverified allegations as facts and allow the appropriate state institutions to conduct their investigations,” the statement said.