Just as you thought Luis Suarez was to be the epitome of bad behavior
in South America, Ghana have today revealed that star duo Sulley
Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng have been sent home on the eve of their
crucial match against Portugal for severe breaches of discipline.
The BBC report that AC Milan
midfielder Muntari was guilty of an “unprovoked physical attack on an
executive committee member”, while Boateng had used “vulgar verbal
insults targeted at coach Kwesi Appiah”.
Neither player will take any further part in Ghana’s World Cup campaign and have “been suspended indefinitely”.
The 29-year-old Muntari was said to have assaulted Moses Armah, a
member of the team’s management, with details now seeping through across
social media as to the extent of the attack
While Muntari has yet to comment on the issue, Boateng has confirmed that he is leaving Brazil, with the Schalke 04 man denying any wrong doing.
Speaking to German magazine Sport-Bild, the 27-year-old said: “Sulley Muntari and I were just joking around, and the coach stopped the session and sent us back to the changing room.
“Afterwards I went to him and asked what he had against me and he
started yelling. He insulted me. There were words like: ‘**** off.’”
Boateng said he “absolutely accepts” his suspension, but added: “No
one should think I insulted the coach. I’m travelling now, and I wish
my colleagues all the best for the match against Portugal.”
USA 0-2 Germany - Jurgen Klinsmann’s side have been nothing short of wonderful in South America, but the Germans should be a step too far.
Portugal 2-1 Ghana - A win for Cristiano Ronaldo and his side, but not one that will see them through to the last 16.
Algeria 1-1 Russia - A surprise draw, and one that will see Fabio Capello’s Russia bow out early.
South Korea 0-2 Belgium – A comfortable win for the Group H winners
DISCIPLINARY REASONS
This is the second time Ghana have expelled Muntari from a major tournament for disciplinary reasons. He was sent home just before the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens for breaking a curfew and did not play for Ghana for almost two years until just before the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
In 2010 he was left out of the squad for the African Nations Cup finals in Angola for disciplinary reasons and last year had to write an apology letter to coach Appiah after he swore at him after being substituted during a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
Boateng was enticed by the prospect of playing for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup and committed his international career to the Black Stars ahead of Germany, where he was born and for whom he played at junior level.
But he ‘retired’ from the national team within 18 months, citing club and family pressures but seemingly less than enthralled by the prospect of leaving his then club AC Milan in mid-season to play at the 2013 African Nations Cup finals.
Last August, the 27-year-old Boateng announced he was making himself available again for selection at the same time as Ghana were comfortably on course for World Cup qualification.
DISCIPLINARY REASONS
This is the second time Ghana have expelled Muntari from a major tournament for disciplinary reasons. He was sent home just before the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens for breaking a curfew and did not play for Ghana for almost two years until just before the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
In 2010 he was left out of the squad for the African Nations Cup finals in Angola for disciplinary reasons and last year had to write an apology letter to coach Appiah after he swore at him after being substituted during a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
Boateng was enticed by the prospect of playing for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup and committed his international career to the Black Stars ahead of Germany, where he was born and for whom he played at junior level.
But he ‘retired’ from the national team within 18 months, citing club and family pressures but seemingly less than enthralled by the prospect of leaving his then club AC Milan in mid-season to play at the 2013 African Nations Cup finals.
Last August, the 27-year-old Boateng announced he was making himself available again for selection at the same time as Ghana were comfortably on course for World Cup qualification.
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