Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has expressed his frustration with the Black Stars players who participated in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil over financial disputes.

He criticised the players' decision to refuse training until they received their bonuses, describing it as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the officials on the international stage.

Ankrah urged the former Black Stars players to return the money to the state after failing to progress beyond the group stage of the 2014 World Cup.

"Let's assume the money will be paid because the nation has never owed players; no matter how long it takes, it will eventually be paid. Why should you insist on not training and even miss two training sessions? Isn't that sabotage?

"Then they took the money; they should refund the bloody money back to us. When they returned, there were no sanctions or inquiries, so that attitude persisted for seven years," Ankrah said in Twi during an interview with Oyerepa FM.

Ghana's national team did not advance past the group stage in the 2014 tournament, securing only one point from three matches.

Tensions rose before the final group game when players demanded $100,000 each in appearance fees, leading to threats of a boycott. This forced the government to arrange a direct flight to Brazil to resolve the issue.

Reports indicated that the main issue was the players' demand for $100,000 in appearance fees, while the government offered $82,500.

When the players refused to train, the government had to meet their demands and provide cash, resulting in missed training sessions and ultimately, the team's poor performance.

Watch the video below:

They should refund that '' bloody'' money- Afriyie Ankrah slams Blackstars#OYEREPASPORTS pic.twitter.com/4S2822DHgt

— Oyerepa TV/FM (@oyerepaofficial) September 10, 2024