Ghanaians on social media have expressed mixed reactions after a photograph showing Ghanaian defender Comfort Yeboah being lifted by her Spanish coach, Santiago Garcia, went viral.

Yeboah, who plays for Spanish women’s side Logroño F, is pictured smiling alongside Garcia, with the coach hugging her from behind while lifting her off the ground.

Although the image appears to capture a light-hearted moment between the player and her coach, its unusual nature has sparked criticism from some Ghanaian football fans, who have questioned whether such conduct is appropriate in a professional football environment.

Some have argued that a coach’s primary responsibility is to train, guide and develop players, insisting that interactions between coaches and players should still maintain professional boundaries.

The reaction has also triggered a wider debate about standards in football, with some Ghanaians questioning whether the same behaviour would have attracted stronger criticism if it had involved a Ghanaian coach.

Others, however, have urged people not to read too much into a single photograph, pointing out that the image may simply have captured a playful moment and does not, by itself, establish any misconduct.

Yeboah is one of Ghana’s emerging female footballers and has represented the Black Queens at international level. Her move to Spain has seen her continue her development in European football.

Read some of the reactions below:

🚨 HAVING FUN OR CROSSING BOUNDARIES?

Spanish gaffer Santiago Garcia who manages Spanish female football team Logroño F, spotted in a very UNUSUAL position with an unsuspecting TEENAGE female Ghanaian player Comfort Yeboah. pic.twitter.com/RC2xBnIuPi

— African Fabrizio (@olisaemeka_G) September 3, 2026

You will finish two adults busy having fun and smiling?

— Holly SarBOAT (@sarboatGH) September 3, 2026

Spain sacked their FA president sake of he gave a female player a perk😂

— Kwame Asante🇬🇭 (@Emmanue69922657) September 3, 2026

it happens everywhere. in spain it cost a boss his job. let’s be guided

— 💧 (@fell1a) September 3, 2026

I am from Logroño, Spain, and these pictures are disgusting. May I ask for the picture source? Where it comes from?

— Juan P. Echeverría (@juanpecheverria) September 3, 2026

eii hmm

— ATL Huncho🇬🇭🇺🇸 (@hunchochoppah) September 3, 2026