George Afriyie, former Vice President of the GFA
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has revealed that a covered-up scandal involving the Black Stars in the United States of America would have surpassed the infamous Brazil 2014 debacle in terms of severity and embarrassment.
The Black Stars, participating in their third consecutive World Cup tournament, exited at the group stage in 2014. Leading up to their final group game, the government at the time compensated players with $100,000 each after they threatened to boycott the match.
This situation brought unparalleled shame to Ghana football, tarnished the sport’s reputation, and led to the dismissal of then-head coach Kwasi Appiah.
However, in an interview with Asempa FM, George Afriyie disclosed that an incident during the Black Stars’ trip to the United States for a match against Mexico in 2017 could have eclipsed the Brazil 2014 debacle but was kept under wraps.
“I called President Nyantakyi to report that the team’s travel arrangements to the USA were disorganized—we had to travel in groups on different flights. When we got to America, the situation escalated, and we had to call for a meeting. In that meeting, I admit, I raised my voice because I was frustrated, and my President wasn’t happy about it.
Had the things that happened in the USA been reported by the media, it would have been a bigger scandal than Brazil 2014. Ask those who were involved—they know what I’m talking about,” he said.
The infamous Brazil 2014 scandal remains a notable low point in Ghanaian football history, epitomized by a widely circulated photo of Black Stars defender John Boye kissing the money delivered by the chartered flight.
FKA/EK
