Ghana demand access to Michael Essien and John Pantsil ahead of African Nations Cup

The Ghana Football Association want to get their team together for a two week preparation period before the African Nations Cup begins in January, and are not willing to take Chelsea’s word on the injury to their star player, Michael Essien.

They intend to send their own doctors to examine Essien before deciding when they want him to join up with the Ghana squad.

“Our doctors are in contact with Chelsea and we will wait for the advice of our doctors before making a decision.

“We will make that decision based on professional advice. We don’t know yet whether we will want Essien to come with us two weeks before the tournament starts.

“If the recommendations from our doctors say we should fly someone over, we will do that.”

Ghana are also set to fall out with Fulham, who face Chelsea on December 28th, as Roy Hodgson is refusing to allow John Pantsil to fly out until after the criucial London derby.

But FIFA rules state that International sides are legally allowed to request their players two weeks before official games, which for Ghana means they want their stars in South Africa on Dec 27th.

Fulham play Spurs on the 26th before facing Chelsea on the 28th, and they want Pantsil to play in both games before releasing him.

Ghana, though, intend to enforce the FIFA rule.

“I don’t think we will allow this to happen. We are looking at the national interest here and I don’t think that is negotiable anyway,” said Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi.

“If Fulham want to test the law then we are ready to go to Fifa because the Nations Cup is equally important.”

1 Comment
  1. Kostaz says

    I can’t blame them,it’s their right.

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