ACCRA - Triple African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele said he would appeal against a one-year suspension handed to him last week in a match-fixing case.

ACCRA - Triple African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele said he would appeal against a one-year suspension handed to him last week in a match-fixing case.

The former European Cup winner was among officials and players from four clubs banned after two high scoring matches in the race for promotion to Ghana's premier league last month.

Abedi Pele's club FC Nania won 31-0 over Okwawu United, and rivals Great Mariners were 28-0 winners over Mighty Jets in results deemed by the Ghana Football Association to have been fixed.

FC Nania, set up by Abedi Pele less than a decade ago, were seeking to reach the top flight of Ghana football for the first time.

Abedi Pele, who is a member of Fifa standing committees and an ambassador for South Africa's hosting of the 2010 World Cup finals, said he would seek to clear his name.

The association last week demoted all four clubs to Ghana's third division and fined them about R140000 each. - Reuters