Black Stars to resist “invitation contracts”

Some players of the Black Stars say they will resist the decision to sign contracts with the country before they are allowed to play for the country, a local media outlet has reported.

In the wake of the country’s shambolic showing at the World Cup, the executive committee of the GFA reached a decision to give players contract to sign before they are invited to play for the Black Stars.

The move is meant to stem the appearance fee disgrace that rocked the country’s participation in the World Cup which contributed to the team’s early exit from the tournament.

Under the new regulation, players must agree for their bonuses to be paid in their bank accounts, while agreed amounts of bonuses with players cannot be reviewed as well as the disciplinary code of the team.

But All Sport has reported that some players have indicated their unwillingness to sign the proposed contract under any circumstances.

They claim the contracts will unnecessarily empower the football association whilst leaving them without a say in their welfare when things go awry.

Checks with the Ghana Football Association through its Communications Director, Ibrahim Sannie Daara, confirmed that the playing body was not involved in the discussion to impose contracts but also revealed that arrangements were underway to educate the players on the benefits of the contracts.

“We took the decision on these contracts, which will basically deal with the mode of payment, amount to be paid during qualifications and tournaments after the World Cup,” Daara said.

“Our plan is to sit down with the players and highlight the benefits of these contracts to them and also give them an avenue where they can also hold the association accountable on certain issues.”

Ghana crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage and the discussions of money is said to have affected the players leading to non-performance. The airlifting of money from Ghana to Brazil to the players also caused the country a major embarrassment.