Why was GFA spokesman Abbey on the bench?

Wurzburg, June 14, GNA - Randy Abbey, Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) says his presence on the Black Stars bench in the game against Italy was only to facilitate the interview section as mandated by FIFA, organizers of the competition.

Abbey's presence on the bench has generated a lot of debate after the game, with many making reference to his days as a sports journalist when he criticised others for going into the dressing rooms of national teams.

His presence on the bench was among some of the issues that have been the subject of discussion since the Stars painful defeat on Monday. He told the GNA Sports, "I was there only to ensure the media get the right players and technical men to speak with."

Abbey, said his presence on the bench was in accordance with directives given by FIFA at the World Cup workshop that coaches and players were interviewed during half time and after the matches. He explained, "I was only there as a coordinator and nothing more. I was not consulted on technical matters or anything related to the team.

"More so, my presence did not deny any of the technical crew an opportunity to sit on the bench, all of them made equal representations on the bench.

"I had my job well cut out and I will not belong there but for my job as the coordinator."

Monday was the first time, a non technical person was found on the team's bench, as many argued that, the place could have been given to another technical man to enrich the bench.

However, GNA Sports can confirm that, Abbey will remain in that capacity on the bench in the competition.

Ghana, is scheduled to battle Czech Republic in the second group match on Saturday, in a battle tagged as "a must win" for the country.

Nothing less than a win can guarantee the team a breather and give it an edge to progress in the month long soccer fiesta.

Wurzburg, June 14, GNA - Randy Abbey, Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) says his presence on the Black Stars bench in the game against Italy was only to facilitate the interview section as mandated by FIFA, organizers of the competition.

Abbey's presence on the bench has generated a lot of debate after the game, with many making reference to his days as a sports journalist when he criticised others for going into the dressing rooms of national teams.

His presence on the bench was among some of the issues that have been the subject of discussion since the Stars painful defeat on Monday. He told the GNA Sports, "I was there only to ensure the media get the right players and technical men to speak with."

Abbey, said his presence on the bench was in accordance with directives given by FIFA at the World Cup workshop that coaches and players were interviewed during half time and after the matches. He explained, "I was only there as a coordinator and nothing more. I was not consulted on technical matters or anything related to the team.

"More so, my presence did not deny any of the technical crew an opportunity to sit on the bench, all of them made equal representations on the bench.

"I had my job well cut out and I will not belong there but for my job as the coordinator."

Monday was the first time, a non technical person was found on the team's bench, as many argued that, the place could have been given to another technical man to enrich the bench.

However, GNA Sports can confirm that, Abbey will remain in that capacity on the bench in the competition.

Ghana, is scheduled to battle Czech Republic in the second group match on Saturday, in a battle tagged as "a must win" for the country.

Nothing less than a win can guarantee the team a breather and give it an edge to progress in the month long soccer fiesta.