John Paintsil backtracks on Christian Atsu snub, denies accusing GFA

Former Black Stars defender, John Paintsil, has set the record straight regarding his recent comments on the late Christian Atsu.

Paintsil clarified his comments were not aimed at the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Since Monday, February 20, 2023, Paintsil has been the subject of online discussions after making some critical remarks while paying tribute to Atsu, who passed away recently.

His remarks were widely interpreted as an attack on the GFA.

He said on Original FM, “you snubbed him and kicked him out of your Black Stars at age 31. Atsu has been struggling to get a permanent stay in a club since the snub.

“We all know the Value & Respect your club gives you when you play for your Nation. Don’t pretend you loved him because you don’t at all.”

He has now come to say today that his comment was general and not targeted at the GFA.

“That’s not what I said. I never mentioned the FA. I was referring to the hypocrisy of all of us as a people,” he said in an interview, as quoted by Ghana Web.

“We over-criticise players in the national team to force them out and when they are no more, we sing them praises. That’s what I said.”