Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has jumped to the defence of teammate Asamoah Gyan following reports that the Black Stars captain lent financial support to the country's main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
A local radio recently said Gyan sponsored the shipping of branded T-shirts, cutlasses and other items from China ahead of the general elections scheduled for November.
Gyan has since rejected the claims, stating his utter disappointment in the report he called "irresponsible journalism".
“It is unfortunate the presenter made that report,” Badu told Happy FM.
"Gyan is not into politics; he is just a footballer. We all know the good works he is doing in Ghana - he is a philanthropist.
"He is helping people in the country and I don’t know why someone will wake up and say he is doing politics.
“It is so unfortunate for the presenter to say that.
"I will urge Ghanaians to throw their support behind Gyan.”
Gyan has threatened to press charges should the reports persist, stating category that he is "not a politician".