Muntari clashes with sports minister

Muntari was given a dressing down by Muntari Ghana midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari has been engaged in an angry exchange of words with the Minister of Sport of the country in the full view of the rest of the playing body of the Black Stars.

Alhaji Muntaka Mubabrak Mohammed, the new government appointee, has confirmed that the incident took place at the Black Stars team last week Wednesday before the weekend's World Cup qualifier against Benin.

 
The Inter Milan player clashed with the minister in a rift over the bonuses as the minister met the Black Stars over money for the World Cup qualifiers.

 
While the minister claims he had insisted that the bonuses be maintained at US$8,000 as the players wanted US$10,000, insiders say government had proposed to reduce it to US$6,000 per win.

 
Mohammed is reported to have warned the Black Stars that they will be replaced by the national U-20 team if they reject the offer to reduce the bonus which launched him into the confrontation with Muntari.

 
The angry exchange of rhetoric so soured relations that Muntari dared the minister to bring the Black Satellites to play against Benin instead of the Black Stars

 
Mohammed said: “Yes an incident took place at the Novotel Hotel while I was discussing the bonuses issue.

 
“The captain and other senior players in the squad came to apologise to me over the incident and now the issue is closed.”

 
Despite claims by the minister that the issue has been resolved the strained relationship was evident on Sunday when Muntaka inspected both teams.

 
His handshake to the Inter Milan player was not firm as he did with the other players and Muntari also looked away as the minister approached him.