Nyantakyi: Cabinet was aware players were demanding $100k

The boss of the Ghana FA, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has revealed to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that Cabinet knew of the stalemate over appearance fees before a final decision was taken to approve the proposed $82,500.

Nyantakyi said on February 5, 2014 that the players were informed about the proposed figure through Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan. The FA boss said the $82,500 appearance fee was for the first three group games.

According to him, the players rejected the proposed sum with a counter proposal of $100,000 at the group stages.

Nyantakyi informed the three-member Commission that a meeting was called on March 4 between the FA and the players on the one hand, and two representatives of the Presidency–Adu Asare and a Minister of State at the Presidency, Mustapha Ahmed, ahead of the Montenegro friendly over the matter.

He said the meeting ended in a stalemate as the players stood their ground to demand $100,000 while the FA and government representatives “begged” them to accept the $82,500. He said that after the team returned from Montenegro, the Chief of Staff was immediately briefed on the stalemate and the demands of the players.

Then on March 13, Ghana FA and Ministry of Youth and Sports officials went before Cabinet to explain and justify the proposed budget for the 2014 World Cup.

Nyantakyi said: “At the Cabinet, we did not hide that fact of the players’ demand of $100,000 and Cabinet said all we could afford was $82,500. So Cabinet knew that the players were demanding $100,000.

“There was little the GFA could do. We continued discussions with them hoping they would understand and accept the $82,500 but they didn’t.”