Muntari, KP Boateng won't be released by clubs for World Cup commission hearing

Published on: 07 August 2014
Muntari, KP Boateng won't be released by clubs for World Cup commission hearing
Suspended Black Stars midfielders, Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng, will be among the the headline-makers

Suspended Ghana midfielders Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng won't be released by their European clubs next week to appear before the commission to investigate the Black Stars failure at the World Cup, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.

This means the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the World Cup fiasco, which begins its sitting on Monday, must consider taking evidence from the players by telephone.

The two players, who were slapped with indefinite suspensions from the Ghana team at the World Cup for various disciplinary problems, were expected be among the the headline-makers when the commission starts its work.

But officials of the clubs of the two players have indicated that they will not release the players for the exercise as they are seriously preparing for the start of the season.

Clubs are only obliged to release their players for FIFA-sanctioned matches which means the commission's work does not fall within the range of things that would allow their clubs to release them.

Boateng, who plays for German side Schalke, is preparing with the Bundesliga side ahead of the start of the league on 22 August when they face Hannover in their opening game.

With just 11 days before the start of the league, Schalke are not willing to allow their player to be away for three days to face the commission when Boateng's account can be taken by telephone.

Muntari finds himself in a similar situation even though their competition, The Serie A, starts one week after the Bundesliga has kicked off.

AC Milan's opening tough match against Lazio is something coach Inzaghi is unwilling to gamble on which means Muntari must consider giving evidence by phone too as well.

The chairman of the Commission, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, hinted that the Muntari and Boateng, who were at the centre of the Stars’ chaotic campaign as some of the people who are likely to be invited to give evidence before the three-man body.

“For instance, some players who were sanctioned during the tournament will be given the opportunity to give their side of the story,” Â the soft-spoken Appeals Court Judge said.

Asked how the foreign-based players would be flown down to appear before the Commission now that the European leagues are in session, Justice Dzamefe said the Ministry of Youth and Sports would be tasked to liaise with the clubs involved to ensure the players’ release.

“I don’t think that will be a problem since the players will be needed for just one day. if there is the need to invite any player the Ministry will liaise with their clubs to bring them down,” he stressed.

It is clear Justice Dzamefe is unaware of the difficulties they will face in getting the two players to appear in flesh in Accra for the hearing.

Boateng was booted out of the Ghana camp for verbally assaulting Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah while Muntari was sacked for physically attacking Black Stars management committee member Moses Armah during a meeting.

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