Government rejects commission's recommendation to blame Asamoah Gyan over Ghana's 2014 World Cup woes

The Ghana Government has rejected the recommendation from the Presidential Commission to hold Asamoah Gyan solely responsible for the revolt in the Black Stars camp at the 2014 World Cup.

The Black Stars players refused to undergo two training sessions during the World Cup in protest of the delayed payment of promised appearance fees.

This revolt took place days before Ghana played it final group game at the World Cup against Portugal.

The revolt by the players has been largely attributed to Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal which crashed Ghana’s promising campaign at the 2014 World Cup at just the group stage.

Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were even sacked from the Ghana camp for issues linked to the player revolt in Brazil.

The Presidential Commission set up to look into Ghana’s disastrous campaign at the World Cup in their recommendations suggested a lack of leadership on the part of captain Asamoah Gyan.

The Commission went on further to recommend that the Al Ain ace is made to undergo some form of leadership training and even suggested that he be stripped off the Black Stars captaincy if he fails to show leadership in future for off-the-pitch issues.

But government has rejected this recommendation – insisting this move could hurt the confidence and trust reposed in Asamoah Gyan by his international teammates.

“Government does not accept the Commission’s recommendation to single out Mr. Asamoah Gyan to be given formal leadership training/programme at a recognized institution and that if he is unable to show leadership in future for off-the-pitch issues, the GFA must find a suitable replacement for him as the captain of the Black Stars,” the Government White Paper read.

“Government is of the view that for a matter so delicate that is could not be resolved by the Management of the Black Stars, the GFA and the Minister for Youth and Sports, putting the blame on the captain of the team because he was not able to drag his players to come and talk about it is inappropriate.

“Besides, the captain of any football team must have the trust and confidence of his colleague players and the coach, even before the Football Authority comes in.

“If Mr. Asamoah Gyan has such trust and confidence of the players and the coach, and there is nothing to suggest that he does not, then accepting the Commission’s recommendation will have serious adverse effects on the morale of the team.

“Government rather directs that the coach and the technical team should meet and do a post-Brazil review of the Brazil events with a view to deciding how best to comport themselves in future.”