The Ghana Football Association yesterday denied British media reports that it had agreed to rig international matches and asked Ghanaian police to investigate two GFA officials the reports linked to the deal.

The Daily Telegraph and Channel 4 television's Dispatches program in London said they uncovered the case during a six-month investigation into match-fixing.

GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi said the reports were "a representation of half-truths and half-lies".

"It's not true that we have agreed with match-fixers or people who intend to organize matches of convenience between the Black Stars and any opponent in the future," he said from Maceio in Brazil where Ghana is based for the World Cup.

FIFA said it had been contacted by the GFA on the matter.

"In line with standard procedures, FIFA's Security Division is evaluating the matter. It is important to note that we have no indications that the integrity of the World Cup has been compromised," a spokesman said.

A reporter for the newspaper and a former investigator for world soccer's governing body FIFA claimed to represent a company that would buy the rights to friendly matches.

The two officials said they could help recruit referees who would rig the matches and the Daily Telegraph said a contract they submitted to the GFA spelled out conditions of the deal, including who would appoint the referees.

The Telegraph carried a video on its website showing what it said was a meeting between the two GFA officials and the former FIFA investigator where the match-fixing was discussed.

"The Ghana Football Association has requested the Ghana Police Service to investigate two persons for misrepresenting the GFA with an attempt to defraud," the association said in a statement on its website. "The GFA did not sign the contract (and) the two gentlemen did not make such corrupt offers to the GFA or its officials."

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