Scandal Rocks Black Queens' Camp

....THEFT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT CITED
Two members of the official Ghanaian contingent to the Third Women’s World Cup Tournament in the USA have been expelled over alleged thievery and sexual harassment charges. The two, a player and an official were expelled barely a week before the tournament kicked off.

Key offensive midfielder, Sheila Okine (pictured) was given the boot for reportedly stealing a cell phone belonging to one of her colleagues, while the female welfare officer of the team (name could not be confirmed) was sacked for alleged sexual harassment-related charges, Ghanaian officials with the team told the Gye Nyame Concord newspaper.

The two who were part of the team that left Accra for the US to acclimatize were both ordered to board the next available Ghana Airways flight for Ghana.

The newspaper says whereas the charge leveled against Sheila was a cut and dry case because she reportedly confessed to the act, that of the welfare officer looked very contentious.

Sources say what looked a well-intentioned reciprocal gesture on the part of the welfare officer – offering a thank you card in appreciation for a gift turned sour when her benefactor, an American lady, turned around to accuse her of sexual harassment.

The alleged victim made a complaint to officials of the Ghanaian delegation who proceeded to expel the officer from camp without calling witnesses to either corroborate or deny the story.

The alleged victim is a non-official member of the Ghanaian team, hired by members of the Ghanaian Community in Portland, Oregon, to help coordinate a sponsorship campaign for the Black Queens. She also acts as official chaperon for the team.

Efforts to reach Sheila who has since returned to Accra proved futile. But officials of the Ghana Football Association have attributed reports that she was dismissed on the basis of theft to rumours. “I have heard that rumour but it is yet to be verified”, Mr Nsiah, General Secretary of the GFA told the paper.

According to him, Sheila did not make the grade together with Enyonam Dzata, another player who was dropped. Enyonam has returned to her base in the US. Mr Nsiah noted that he is expecting the report of the training tour soon.