In a detailed account of the events that transpired during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, former Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng has shed light on his expulsion from the Black Stars camp.
This expulsion, which also involved Sulley Muntari, came as a result of what the Ghana Football Association (GFA) termed gross misconduct.
Boateng explained that he had engaged with the GFA hierarchy to address what he perceived as mistreatment of the players.
In an interview with Vibe with Five, he stated that he criticized GFA officials during a meeting, expressing his belief that they should invest more in the organization and ensure players receive the compensation they deserve.
"I got kicked out from the national team and Schalke in the same season," Boateng recalled. "We had a meeting, and I criticized them, and I said, 'they can't treat us like that' because we know how much they make, and they should invest in the organization [and] give the players the money they deserved."
"They didn't like that, and they kicked me out," he continued, adding that he received a letter under his door at 6 in the morning on the day of the crucial match against Portugal. The letter instructed him to leave the team hotel within 15 minutes and surrender his cards, officially terminating his participation in the tournament.
Boateng claimed that despite his actions in favor of the team's interest, his teammates did not show support. He said, "No one [spoke]. I wasn't fighting for myself. I was fighting for the team. I saw them while going out with my luggage, and it was the worst moment. I said to [Muntari], the real team will say 'we are all not playing.'"
However, his candid critique did not sit well with the GFA management committee.
He recounted receiving a letter under his hotel room door at 6 in the morning on the day of the crucial match against Portugal.
The letter instructed him to leave the team hotel within 15 minutes and surrender his cards, officially terminating his participation in the tournament.
Boateng noted that despite his actions being in favor of the team's interests, he did not receive support from his teammates.
Ghana ultimately lost the pivotal match against Portugal 2-1, resulting in their exit from the 2014 World Cup during the group stage with just one point.
Kevin Prince Boateng's account sheds light on the challenges and tensions that surrounded the Black Stars' campaign in Brazil and the circumstances that led to his expulsion from the team.
The often controversial KP Boateng made 15 appearances for the Black Stars between 2010-2014 mostly in World Cup games.
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