Hodgson slams disrespectful Ghana

John Paitsil

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has stoked the traditional club versus country fire by calling Ghana and other African nations disrespectful for demanding the release their players in time for Angola 2010 preparations.

The Englishman is furious that Ghana have officially requested the release of right back John Paintsil for pre-CAN camping in South Africa on December 27 when they have a game lined up against Chelsea the following day.

And he has vowed to ignore the GFA request unless they also insist on injured Michael Essien's arrival at the same time.

“It is probably an oversight on their part and I don't expect for one minute Ghana to insist Paintsil leaves the day before we play Chelsea, or that Essien leaves Chelsea,” Hodgson said.

“I think it was a bit disrespectful of the African nations teams to write to English clubs asking for players to be released on December 27th when they know we have matches on December 28th especially as they have a two and half week preparation period.”

“I do expect Paintsil to play on the 28th unless FIFA intervenes. But we will then have to insist that Drogba goes as well.”

Ghana intend to fly out to Nelspruit in South Africa on December 27 in preparations for the tournament in Angola. They can insist on the release of Paintsil that same day even if Ivory Coast grant Didier Drogba special dispensation to play on December 28.

And if Hodgson refuses to release Paintsil, the GFA can ask FIFA to stop him from playing in that game.

It is unlikely to come to that and Paintsil could well arrive in South Africa after that Chelsea game but this looks like the first case of what is traditionally bitter club versus country confrontations in the build up to the Nations Cup.

The issue has become particularly thorny in England because unlike most countries the Premier League will be in full flight during the festive period.