The President of Medeama Sporting Club and a member of the Black Stars Management Committee, Moses Armah, has been explaining the circumstances that led to a physical confrontation between him and midfielder Sulley Muntari at the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
Taking his turn before the Dzamefe Presidential Commission, which is looking into Ghana’s participation at the Brazil 2014 World Cup, Armah said Muntari slapped him during a meeting between management and the playing body over the delay in the payment of appearance fees.
He said during the meeting, he echoed the assurances of the President of Ghana and the President of the GFA to the effect that the $100,000-per-head appearance fee would be paid and urged the players to be patient.
According to Armah, the statement did not sit well with Muntari, who, he said, got up furiously and questioned the capacity in which he (Armah) was telling the players what to do.
He said although he was surprised by the question, considering that he had already been introduced to the players as a management committee member, he went ahead to re-introduce himself.
He said before he knew what was happening, Muntari had given him a slap, which prompted him to ask the GFA president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, “What is happening?”.
He said Muntari then followed up with another heavy blow, which caused him to lose his temper.
Armah said following the second blow, he resolved to defend himself, so when Muntari attempted to hit him for the third time, he (Armah) blocked the blow with his left hand and gave the AC Milan midfielder a punch that sent him crashing to the ground.
“I blocked him with my left hand and gave him only one blow and he fell down.
“In fact it wasn’t easy, I was very, very surprised. I’ve never seen that before,” Armah said.
Apology
Armah also revealed that after the World Cup, Muntari’s father called him to apologise on behalf of his son.
The Medeama president said he accepted the apology right away, adding that he had forgiven the midfielder for assaulting him.
Questioned as to whether Muntari should be recalled to the Black Stars, Armah said that was a decision for management to take.
He added, however, that it is important that Muntari apologises to management as well as the playing body before a decision is taken regarding the indefinite suspension that was handed him.
Bonus
Armah went on to add that he received $20,000 in appearance fees and $8,000 as bonus for his role in Brazil.
He said whereas he signed a document when he received the $8,000, he was was not given any document to sign when he got the $20,000.
Credit: graphiconline
