Former Ghanaian international, Kevin-Prince Boateng, has revealed that he was expelled from the Black Stars camp during the 2014 World Cup due to his criticism of officials over poor treatment.
Boateng, who had played for clubs like Barcelona and AC Milan, along with Sulley Muntari, was asked to leave the team’s camp after heated exchanges with the management committee the night before Ghana’s final group game against Portugal.
He explained that he had criticized the Ghana Football Association (GFA) officials for their inadequate treatment of the players and urged them to invest more in the association. This criticism did not sit well with the Ghana FA management, leading to his expulsion.
“I got kicked out from the national team and Schalke in the same season,” Boateng shared in an interview.
When asked about the reason for his removal from Ghana’s team, Boateng said, “We had a meeting, and I criticized them, saying ‘they can’t treat us like that’ because we know how much they make, and they should invest in the organization [and] give the players the money they deserved.”
Boateng received a letter under his door at 6 in the morning on the day Ghana played Portugal, informing him that he was out of the national team. He was given just 15 minutes to leave the team hotel and surrender his cards.
Boateng emphasized that he was fighting for the team and not just for himself. He was disappointed that no one else from the playing squad spoke up when he and Muntari did.
“No one [spoke]. I wasn’t fighting for myself. I was fighting for the team. I saw them while going out with my luggage, and it was the worst moment,” he added. “I said to [Muntari] the real team will say ‘we are all not playing.”
Ghana went on to lose the game 2-1 and exited the competition in the group stage with just one point. Boateng did not play for the national team again after his expulsion and has since retired from professional football.
