MANAGEMENT ACCUSED OF RACIST CHANTS,ARBITRARY DISMISALS AND EXPLOITATION Players and workers of Red Bull soccer academy at Fievie Sogakope, in the volta region are living in the state of fear and anxiety following what they describe as " Act of racism " by the Australian Led Administration.

They are particularly outraged by the behavior of the technical director of the three year old academy, Hans Peter Schaller, Accusing him dehumanizing them at the slightest opportunity with words such as " Foolish Africans", " Stupid Africans", "Fag You", "Pigs", "Dogs", among other unprintable words.

This came to light when the TIMES visited the academy to investigate rumours of racism, arbitrary dismissal and exploitation by management.

Most of the player who spoke to this paper on condition anonymity for fear of being victimized, said:" Mr. Schaller does not respect our color and insults as anyhow he pleases".

A senior player recalled a recent incident when he and other colleagues demanded to have a copy of the contract forms they signed three years ago. According to this player they were rather met with "a terse and racist reaction from the Australian technical director.

"As the situation stands at the moment, we are keeping our lips sealed just to survive the situation. The truth is that we are living in fear, because you are sacked at the last opportunity and that throws your future into ruins, if lack is not on your side ".

For instance, he said " a few days ago, we made a passionate appeal to management to increase our monthly allowances, but we were meet with words like " Foolish Africans, what kind of allowance’- words that kill the spirit ". Senior players of the academy who feature in the volta region second division league received a monthly allowance of Gh 50, Under-17 players pocket between Gh 20 and Gh 30, while Under-14 boys collect Gh 10.

However, Schaller characteristically refuted the allegations leveled against him.

"I have no reason to say these things to the players. How do I get the best from them if I don’t treat them well or say bad things against them?" he asked.

The general manager of the academy, Hermann Kern, express similar sentiments, saying he was stunned by rumours making the rounds about the soccer insitution. "As far as I am concern, there is no trace of racism in our academy. We are nice warm-hearted people and would not do anything to tarnish our image.

"Management has a good working relations with the workers as well, and wonder where these rumours are coming from", stressed the 43-year Australian who took office on June 1, this years, replacing German Siegfred Sanzio Bahner.

Bahner, fomer head coach of kumasi King Faisal and Accra hearts of Oak resigned as General Manager the academy on April 15,this year, after barely one half years at the helm of affairs, - citing " personal reasons ".

Times investigations also confirm what has been describe as " eccentric dismissals " of players at academy.

Early this month, 10 under -14 players who had been with the academy for two years and had been honored by the academy for their inspiring performances, were given letters to look for other schools.

Indeed, two of the affected players- Noah Degban, an orphan, and Frances Adjomani- were in April and May this year, respectively, commanded in letter jointly signed by Schaller and the under-14 coach. Maxwel Konadu- a former Ghanaian international.

The citation to the players read in part.."you hav eproven that with determination, hard work and winning mentality, everything is achievable. There is no doubt that your recent achievement will be spoken off for sometime to come and the admiration of your accomplishment is felt by all of us within the technical department. "

The feeling within the academy is that the decision to lay off the players was taken unilaterally, but Schaller dismiss that claim, insisting that all the coaches were part of the decision.

Explaining the academy’s decision, the general manager Kern said that "the boys were not improving their performance as expected and it was only proper that we allow them to go and raise their standards and then they may have the opportunity of joining again".

This has upset guardians of the players who say they cannot understand the academy’s action . They have petitioned the MP for the area Mr. Kobina Wayome, to intervene to safe the future of the children who have now been burdened to look for new schools.

Madam Alorsu Degbe, 82- year – old grandmother of Noah, told the TIMES she was "ravaged" by the decision to sack her grandson "after wasting his time". What hurts Madam Degbe, who can barely walk, is that " the grand-son was in form one at the sokpe JHS when they came for him in 2007. if they knew he was not good enough all this while, why should they have to wait till now ".

Meanwhile, information gathered indicate that people of Sogakope are planning a massive demonstration against the management of the academy for what they claim are "acts of gross in justice and racial abuse against players and workers of the academy".

Red Bull academy is owned by Australia well- heeled billionaire entrepreneur, Dietrich Matteschitz, founder of the company that manufactures Red Bull energy drink and the owner of the US- based Red Bull New York FC.

The academy’s vision is to develop young football talents in Africa who can ultimately feed their professional clubs in Europe and the United States