Portsmouth is Pissed at Ghana

January 4th, 2008 | By: Inara | 6 Comments »

Another day, another Premiership club mad at the African Cup of Nations. What else is new?

This time, it’s Harry Redknapp and his Portsmouth friends are who very unhappy at the upcoming tournament. Of all EPL clubs, Portsmouth will be dealt the hardest blow this January, thanks to untimely injuries and to four African players participating in ACN 2008. With only 14 remaining outfield players left, Portsmouth will have to seek several additional reinforcements.

But that’s not the main reason Portsmouth are pissed. They are annoyed especially at Ghana for calling up Sulley Muntari two weeks in advance. According to FIFA rules, a country can call up players two weeks in advance of an international tournament, but Portsmouth think it’s silly and may appeal. According to Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie:

“We will be protesting strongly and will be discussing it with the nations concerned…It is just ridiculous. We all know who the countries in the quarter-finals will be. What do they need a 14-day warm-up for?”

Classy.

Thankfully, Muntari doesn’t feel this way and is looking forward to representing his country. Not only that, but he’s relishing the prospect of playing in front of a home crowd, and more importantly, has faith in the African Federation – something that European clubs seem to lack.

Edit: Oh, look. Another EPL club hoping that Ghana will give them special favors. Didn’t Chelsea buy Steve Sidwell specifically to cover for Michael Essien’s departure during the ACN? So why in the world do they want Essien to fly back six days before the tournament starts to play against Tottenham (of all teams!)?

Tags: African Cup of Nations 2008, Player News and Rumors

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Comments

By Rami | January 4th, 2008 at 1:52 pm

This is the type of crap that pisses me off to no end. Peter Storrie’s comments are misinformed and downright disrespectful. If he knows who is going to be in the quarter finals I’d really love it if he’d tell me!

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By If You Play in the African Nations Cup… You’re Fired - World Cup Blog | January 4th, 2008 at 2:36 pm

[...] You’re Fired By: Daryl | January 4th, 2008 | No Comments » Plenty of clubs are putting up a fight to prevent their African players heading off to the African Cup of Nations. Portsmouth are [...]

Posted from United States

By African Cup of Nations Preview: Ghana - World Cup Blog | January 4th, 2008 at 6:55 pm

[...] responsibility on Micheal Essien in midfield, and Essien’s going to be running on empty if – as planned – he flies back to London six days before the African Cup of Nations to play for Chelsea against [...]

Posted from United States

By Ronan | January 5th, 2008 at 4:52 pm

Inara- I know from your lyon blog (which i am a more than fond reader of-u may have guessed)that you and I have not really seen eye to eye thus far, E.G- The useless comments from me and the fact that i was doing it on a regular basis- i am sorry, I have only started to post on the offside since a few weeks back. I no I have been childish and i will not be doing anything like that again. The reason why i am contacting you is because i currently do not have an E-mail adress, however soon i shall have one. So, i was wondering if you know any blogs which i could write on the offside-whatever you think of me mate, my football knoledge is as good as most, just try me!? ….. ( i will have a valid E-mail address in the next few days) xx

By Inara | January 6th, 2008 at 4:21 am

Ronan: the best way to get a blog on the offside is to contact Martha (martha@theoffside.com). She’s in charge over there and can discuss it with you. I’m not sure what blogs are available – you best bet is to browse through the different categories and see what clubs aren’t taken.

Posted from United States

By joejoejoe | January 6th, 2008 at 4:47 am

It sounds like Chelsea has better relations with the Ghana FA than Portsmouth because of a charity tour that Chelsea did last year. I think it will open up a can of worms to allow Essien to go back and play for Chelsea but not other EPL players.

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