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Ghana suspends Boateng and Muntari indefinitely

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By TIM FONTENAULT

In need of a positive result Thursday against Portugal, the Black Stars now find themselves in a difficult position.

Ghana announced Thursday morning that midfielders Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng have been suspended indefinitely ahead of the Black Stars’ final Group Stage match at the World Cup.

The two players, who played together at AC Milan, were involved in separate altercations. Muntari’s suspension stems from an “unprovoked physical attack” on a Black Stars executive at a recent meeting.

Meanwhile, Boateng’s suspension comes as a result of a verbal assault on coach Kwesi Appiah during a training session in Maceio. Boateng would not apologize for the incident, resulting in his suspension from the team.

Both players have been key contributors to the African side through two World Cup matches so far. Muntari was already suspended for Thursday’s match due to yellow card accumulation.

Ghana has one point entering the final group stage match, three points behind the United States for second place in Group G.

What do you think of the suspensions? How will they affect Ghana going forward?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. A lot of stories heading into these final group games. Problems in Ghana’s camp, Portugal coming back from Manaus with little chance to progress, and the ties between Germany and the USA. Ought to be interesting.

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  2. Most everybody has assumed that Ghana were going to defeat Portugal, but Portugal will be getting Pepe back and the Ghana defense has always been suspect anyway. This latest development makes it look more promising for the US. Will Ghana fold its tent or react like a wounded bear? And why hasn’t SBI had any “What Formation Should the US Play Against Germany?” or “Who Should Start for the US?” articles before the big game so we can endlessly speculate”? SBI, you’ve fallen down on the job.

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  3. What will this message board look like if Ghana fold like a cheap tent and Portugal put 6 past them? This could get bad…….

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    • I see your point, but I think Portugal trying to chase us from a long way back (5 goal margin) is less frightening than Ghana with a smaller GD (2). Be real, that’s 1-0 and 1-0 and we’re even, one more goal either way sends you home. Granted, 2009 Confed Cup is always possible, but if we lose and a Portugal team that came back on us slams Ghana for 10, guess who I think deserves to advance?

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  4. Maybe the players will bunker down inside the team bus. Wait, that never happens at a WC. Scoreless draw GHA 0-0 POR. I’ll take GHA 5-5 POR tooi, for the enteratainment and to appease all the basketball fans who are briefly interested in soccer.

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    • Ghana just sent home two important players on the eve of the big game, let’s see if their heads are even right to pursue a result.

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    • Can we consider a slightly different scenario?

      Always the player to blame, not the skimming executives, even after this Qatar blowup? Consider that Cameroon refused to board the plane until they changed the bonuses. Consider that the Ghanaian players have not been paid and there is this supposed money plane on the way. Then consider why a player might be upset with a coach or an executive and it might escalate.

      Of course, since the coaches and executives are employers and the players employees, guess who showed who?

      Ghana should have been in a decent position to try to sneak in, ok GD and a chance to beat up on Portugal. But we’ll see how the big game turns out, then.

      Reply

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