Kwesi Nyantakyi has backed the Black Stars players’ demand to be paid in dollars, but will not comment on claims that the players want a bonus increase.
This comes in the wake of increasing reports that the players are asking for a 30% increment.
Ghana’s economy has taken a hit in the last quarter, leading the country’s central bank to ban the quotation of goods and services in dollars.
The players, in a letter reportedly signed by captain Asamoah Gyan, rejected calls from the country’s president urging them to be paid in local Ghanaian cedis.
But the GFA boss believes exceptions should be made for the players.
“These players are plying their trade abroad, so we have to be realistic and understand their demand for payment in dollars.”
“After all, they spend in dollars, so giving them cards wouldn’t help and I don’t think there should be a problem in giving them euros or dollars.
I know there are exceptions to the directives given by the president to the bank of Ghana, especially when the person involved stays overseas,” Nyantakyi told Kessben FM.
The Black Stars take $15,000 in winning bonuses per game during tournaments and qualifiers, but reports on the Accra-based Radio Gold say they are making a request for a 30% increment.
The request, reports say, was made officially before the international friendly with Montenegro last Wednesday. If approved, that will take their winning bonuses to $19,500.
The report is also given credence by the state-owned Ghanaian Times newspaper, whose Tuesday edition speculates the reasoning behind the move.
“They [the players] claim that their winning bonuses for the 2006 World Cup in Germany was increased as well as that of the next edition four years later in South Africa,” the paper alleges.
Mr. Nyantakyi however, did not comment on the claims of the increment from the players.
By: Gary Al-Smith/citifmonline.com/Ghana