The Founder and General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Tony Baffoe has stated that Black Stars players are not solely after money as been perceived by many Ghanaians due to the recent imbroglio of the 2014 World Cup budget.
Government only approved an amount of US$9.6m for the Black Stars campaign which was a reduced figure from the proposed $22m on 17th March.
According to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, the initial budget was influenced by player agitations for an increase in appearance fees and bonuses.
But government has insisted that it will pay the same package it gave the team at the 2010 World Cup in Brazil, meaning players will take $75, 000 for appearance fees and the same bonus package as the last world cup in South Africa.
However, many Ghanaians have since questioned the commitment of the Black Stars players to the national course given the exposure and investment Ghana has made in the national teams over the years.
Ex Ghana international and PFAG Founder Tony Baffoe believes the players are only demanding what they are due.
“They shouldn’t say that players are money conscious. You are paid for what you have done well. A good CEO is paid for his job. Very well. Politicians are paid well to debate,” Tony Baffoe told Liquidsportsghana.com
“After all how long is the career of a footballer? Ten years. And after that nobody cares about you. When you are injured, nobody cares about you. It is important that in this short spell they care for themselves.”
Baffoe also expressed his dismay about comparisons between Ghana and other European national teams, saying in both cases, money plays a crucial role.
“You see, don’t let us beat about the bush. Don’t let us pretend as if in the western world, people don’t debate money. The only thing is that, it is done well ahead of time.”
“Somebody said on TV that the English people are happy to wear their logo on their chest. That is nonsense! Money is a motivation. It is very important.”
“Don’t forget that footballers make a lot of people happy as well. We unite ethnic differences. We make people happy. So let’s leave it like that and I believe football is still a very nice game.
Source: ghanasportsonline.com
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