Asamoah Gyan Opens Up on 2014 World Cup Saga Where Government of Ghana Airlifted $3 Million to Pay Bonuses

Asamoah Gyan Opens Up on 2014 World Cup Saga Where Government of Ghana Airlifted $3 Million to Pay Bonuses

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:02 PM
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  • Asamoah Gyan has explained why the Government of Ghana were left with no choice but to fly $3 million in cash during the 2014 FIFA World Cup
  • The Black Stars, who were promised appearance fees at the global showpiece, decided to snub their last group game to drive home their demands
  • The then-government in 2014 had to do the bidding of the players to save face by flying $3 million in cash to Brazil

Former captain of the Black Stars of Ghana, Asamoah Gyan has shed light on the infamous 2014 World Cup saga, which brought the country's name into disrepute.

Players of the Black Star and the Government of Ghana were at a crossroads prior to Ghana's last group game against Portugal with the players threatening to boycott the fixture due to unfulfilled promises by the government.

The Black Stars were promised appearance fees at the 2014 World Cup, but after two group games, the promise was not redeemed by the government hence the decision by the players to stage the boycott with the last group game on the horizon.

Asamoah Gyan, Opens Up, 2014, World Cup, Saga, Government, Ghana, Airlifted, $3 Million, Pay, Bonuses
Asamoah captained Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup which was staged in Brazil. Photo by Marius Becker
Source: Getty Images

The then-government had to act swiftly to prevent international mockery by airlifting a whopping sum of $3 million as the players requested cash instead of bank transfers.

Lifting the lid on the incident which transpired eight years ago is none other than the leader of the pack, Asamoah Gyan, who was the captain at the tournament.

"This was not how the silent protest was supposed to end," he revealed in his book as quoted by Ghanasoccernet.
"All I can say is that after repeated promises to pay at various times during pre-tournament camping, failing to meet their own deadlines, authorities had lost the trust of a lot of the players.
"...The players remained adamant about getting their payments and the government realised they had to save face quickly. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how we got the point where $3m in cash bonuses was airlifted to Brazil."

Asamoah Gyan opens up on brawl between Sulley Muntari and top Black Stars Management member in 2014

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Asamoah Gyan has confirmed that teammate Sulley Muntari was engaged in a brawl with one of the management members of the Black Stars during the World Cup in Brazil 2014.

The Black Stars team were embroiled in controversy at the tournament, with the players threatening to boycott their final game over unpaid appearance fees.

The government had to fly $3 million to prevent the players from carrying on with their plans, but before the money arrived the Black Stars camp was shrouded in controversy.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
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GhanaGhana Football Association (GFA)World