Lots of controversies have emerged over the past few hours after Black Stars Captain, Asamoah Gyan failed to hand over the captain’s armband to Andre Dede Ayew due to his customised band at the 2019 AFCON qualifiers against Ethiopia.
The story would have gone to rest had Gyan played the entire 90 minutes but that didn’t happen as he got substituted in the 73rd minute of the game for Abdul Majeed Waris to come on.
People got shocked as Gyan did not perform the normal tradition of handing over the captain’s armband to his deputy Andrew Dede Ayew. Rather, he hugged his teammate Majeed Waris and walked off the pitch to the bench which made people a bit suspicious.
It was later realised that he had a customised armband which was in red, gold and green colours of Ghana, and also with his image on it. Andrew Ayew being aware of the pre-match arrangements went to the touchline for another armband.
The Ghana Football Association and Gyan could be sanctioned by the Federation of International Football (FIFA) after “breaching” its laws of the game.
What the FIFA law says
“20.1 A captains armband exclusively provided by FIFA must be used for all Matches of Final Competitions. FIFA may provide two captain’s armbands in contrasting colours.”
“20.2 For any Matches of Preliminary Competition and any Preliminary Olympic Matches the captain’s armband shall be of one dominant Colour, or exceptionally composed of the Colours of the National Flag clearly distinguishable from the Colour used on the sleeves of the shirt of the Player.”
“Captain’s armbands shall remain free of, and shall not produce, in FIFA’s discretion, the visual effect of a Manufacturer’s identification, a sponsor, any Decorative Element or further elements, except for the word “captain” or an abbreviation or translation thereof.”
Gyan's actions drew a lot of reactions on social media with people raising questions over the relationship that exists between the Black Stars captain and his deputy.
After we saw Asamoah Gyan came out with his captain armband
— Demi god (@celcie_qweci) June 11, 2017
Dede Ayew removed his own from his socks pic.twitter.com/dNvYdtcjzJ
So disappointed in Asamoah Gyan. I expect more from him. Why would he customise captain's armband? Is it his property? Unnecessary! #GHAETH
— Dennis Mirpuri Snr. (@DennisMirpuri) June 11, 2017
CUSTOMIZED CAPTAIN ARMBAN FOR ASAMOAH GYAN.
— Call Me Osei (@SirAmankwaah) June 11, 2017
Meaning Dede Ayew can never have him pass on his armband.
This sounds very bad. OR?
Wow!
— Sports Obama (@SaddickAdams) June 11, 2017
Asamoah Gyan has CUSTOMIZED his captains armband. So Andre has to go for new one instead of just changing.
Hehehe
Ghana FA veep on Asamoah Gyan customized arm band;
— Sports Obama (@SaddickAdams) June 12, 2017
"It is not right. It is unacceptable. Nobody has the right to customize the arm band"
Gyan for know sey the armband no be shin-guard wey u fit customize am anyhow.. there are rules!
— Sharshar ???????? (@sharod_bob) June 12, 2017
Meanwhile, Asamoah Gyan has come out to say he’s not the first footballer to put on a customised armband and denies allegations of there being a rift between him and Andre Ayew.
Some Ghanaians who spoke to www.ghanaweb.com shared their views on what they make of Asamoah Gyan’s decision to customise his armband.
Watch the video below.
