Google +
Ghana’s two biggest stars have been suspended from the team just hours ahead of their crucial World Cup match.
Sulley Muntari, the AC Milan’s midfielder, and Schalke midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng have both had their World Cup accreditation withdrawn, the Ghana FA (GFA) announced.
The two former Portsmouth players will play no part in Ghana’s must-win last group match against Portugal in Brasilia today (5pm).
The squad has been a state of rebellion over unpaid appearance feeand Muntari is reported to have slapped a senior GFA official during a heated meeting.
Boateng “verbally abused” coach Kwesi Appiah, said the GFA.
A statement from the association said: “The GFA has suspended Sulley Ali Muntari indefinitely from the Black Stars with immediate effect.
“The decision was taken in the wake of his unprovoked physical attack on an executive committee member of the GFA and a management member of the Black Stars, Mr Moses Armah on Tuesday 24 June, 2014 during a meeting.
“The GFA has approved coach Kwesi Appiah’s decision to suspend Kevin-Prince Boateng indefinitely from the Black Stars.
“The decision was taken following Boateng’s vulgar verbal insults targeted at coach Kwesi Appiah during the team’s training session in Maceio this week.
“Boateng has since showed no remorse for his actions which has resulted in the decision.”
The statement said both Muntari and Boateng’s accreditation for the World Cup has been withdrawn “with immediate effect”.
“Afterwards I went to the him and asked what he had against me and he started yelling”
Following his suspension, Boateng spoke to German magazine Sport-Bild, and blamed the incident on a disagreement with Appiah during training.
“Sulley Muntari and I were just joking around, and the coach stopped the session and sent us back to the changing room,” Boateng said.
“Afterwards I went to the him and asked what he had against me and he started yelling. He insulted me. There were words like: ‘F*** off’.”
Boateng said he accepted his suspension but seemed to dispute the reasons the Ghana FA gave for it.
“No one should think I insulted the coach,” he said. “I’m travelling now, and I wish my colleagues all the best for the match against Portugal.”