Rumor Mill of Saturday, 2 March 2013

Source: unknown

Boateng- will not return cause Ayews

Kevin-Prince Boateng says he will not return to the Ghana national team because his friends Andre and Jordan Ayew have decided to resign from the team, a newspaper has claimed.

According to a newspaper close to the Ayew family, the AC Milan player was considering a return to the Black Stars.

But since news of the Ayews decision broke, Boateng who retired from international duty in November 2011, has binned the thought of returning to the Black Stars fold.

The newspaper, closely linked with the Ayews, reported that the AC Milan midfielder phoned Andre Ayew when news of his decision to quit the Black Stars broke.

According to the newspaper Boateng then made a decision not to return to the Black Stars because of the decision by the Ayews.

“Once Dede has opted out I have to forget about my plans of returning to the team,” Kevin was reportedly quoted as saying in the Ghana Sports newspaper.

The report has not been independently confirmed from Boateng’s camp and has been interpreted in many quarters as meant to put pressure on the Ghana FA.

Boateng, who was born in Germany to a Ghanaian father, shocked the country when he announced his decision to leave the Black Stars without any provocation.

The AC Milan star called time on his international career in November 2011, claiming national and club duties was taking a toll on his health.

His shocking announcement came after his short association with the Ghana national team at the 2010 World Cup earned him a big-money move to AC Milan when his career was going nowhere with relegated English side Portsmouth.

Boateng, who switched nationality from Germany to play for Ghana, had two high-profile visits from the Ghana FA to urge him to reconsider his decision.

He turned down the pleas for his return after GFA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi went to meet him in Milan and a subsequent visit from the current coach Kwesi Appiah failed to convince him.