KP Boateng recall will violate government White Paper recommendation

Black Stars coach, James Kwasi Appiah’s desire to invite Kevin Prince-Boateng into the senior national team, should the player apologise for his role in the 2014 FIFA World Cup debacle may face legal obstacles. This is according to former Disciplinary Committee Chairman of the Ghana Football Association, Prosper Harrison Addo.

According to the astute lawyer, the government White Paper which was released after the work of the Dzamefe Commission explicitly stated that neither Kevin Prince-Boateng nor Sulley Muntari should be invited into the Black Stars as a measure to maintain the discipline that appears to have been restored since Brazil 2014.

Speaking on Accra based Happy FM over the weekend, Mr Harrison Addo said since the decision of the Commission is regarded as a High Court ruling and it was not challenged by the players, it becomes binding and must be followed verbatim.

“The decision on whether to invite Kevin or not is above the coach now. He cannot invite him even if the player apologises like he (Appiah) has requested. Maybe he does not know but I believe the Normalization Committee has good lawyers who can advise on the way forward. The Sports Ministry must also prompt the coach that legally he can’t invite Kevin into the Black Stars.

Finder Sports’ own checks confirm the assertion by Mr Harrison Addo. Article 3.4 of the White Paper under the headline “Discipline in the Black Stars camp’ captures the point of the former DC Chairman.

That portion of the White Paper reads, “Government further advises that the two players (Kevin and Muntari) should not be recalled into the Black Stars camp in order to maintain the discipline that appears to have been restored since Brazil 2014.”

Last Monday, Spanish side Barcelona shocked the footballing world by announcing the signing of Boateng on an initial 6-months loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.

Kevin Boateng’s move to Barcelona has also reignited a five-year debate in Ghana: the small matter of whether or not he should be invited back into the senior national team, the Black Stars.

On the face of it, this should be a no brainer, why? Because Kevin Boateng’s talent is obvious to see.

He may not be a Messi or Ronaldo but the guys at Barcelona are no fools. They clearly know a good footballer when they see one and if they think Boateng is good then surely he must be also good for the Black Stars.

The thorny issue though is that Boateng is serving an indefinite suspension from the Black Stars for his role in the now infamous Brazil 2014 World Cup debacle.

Boateng and Sulley Muntari were identified as the chief culprits who instigated a standoff between players and officials at the World Cup over appearance fees and literally held the nation to ransom until government flew over $3m to settle the issue.

Boateng was also accused of verbally assaulting the coach (Kwesi Appiah), and branding him incompetent.