[ 2014-06-28 ]

Exclusive: Kwesi Appiah speaks on KP Boateng row
Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has opened up for the
first time about his stormy relationship with
Kevin-Prince Boateng at the world cup in Brazil
and suggested he had to send the star home after
getting fed up with a persistent attitude.

The Schalke 04 star was sent home on the morning
of the Black Stars world cup group game against
Portugal after what the Ghana Football Association
called Boateng's 'vulgar insults' directed at
coach Kwesi Appiah.

Boateng has disputed that version and claims
Appiah told him to 'f**k off' after a training
ground incident. Appiah disputes that version.

'I am surprised that he said that I used those
words on him. Thing is as my player how would I
just say an F word to him? Whatever he has done
throughout our stay in camp all the players are
aware,' Appiah said.

'Whatever he did everyone is aware. When you deal
with players you ignore them sometimes because you
need them to perform but when it gets beyond the
line you have to stamp your authority and let him
know you are in control and that he cannot do
things the way he wants, disrespect you and look
down on you as if you are nothing.'

Appiah had said in the immediate aftermath of the
Portugal game that both Boateng still has a future
with the team but admits working with him in the
future will be difficult if the player's
countenance does not change.

He said: 'Sometimes it comes to whether the player
shows remorse and let you know they are really
sorry. In that aspect it's fine. But if the person
has been doing it, doesn't care and looks down
upon you then it will be really difficult to say I
will work with him again because once he comes
back he could do something terribly worse. As I
keep saying it is about teamwork. One person
should not hold the whole nation to ransom or
should not destroy the youngsters because once
they also pick that attitude whoever is handling
the team will find players who will give him the
same problems.'

Source - allsports.com.gh

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