For their failure to travel for a national assignment, Messrs Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan have been sanctioned, the Ghana Football Association has confirmed.

A monetary fine has been imposed on the affected players as they have been given a seven-day time frame to comply with the FA’s directive.

“The Ghana Football Association wishes to announce that after giving hearing to Black Stars players Messrs Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan; it became evident that the players have shown remorse for their actions.

“Therefore after considering their interest as professional footballers and that of Ghana football, the following decisions have been taken which have to be complied with within seven (7) days effective 9th December, 2009;

• That the Players are to apologise to the Technical team and players of the Black Stars.

• That each person is to pay a fine of Five Thousand United States Dollars ($5000) each.”

The Black Stars trio were given a hearing by the FA following their absence from the team that traveled to Angola for an international friendly last month.

The full text of the sanctions is as follows

RE: ABSENCE FROM ANGOLA VRS. GHANA MATCH
IN LUANDA, MICHAEL ESSIEN, SULLEY MUNTARI,
ASAMOAH GYAN

The Ghana Football Association wishes to announce that after giving hearing to Black Stars players Messrs Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan; it became evident that the players have shown remorse for their actions.

Therefore after considering their interest as professional footballers and that of Ghana football, the following decisions have been taken which have to be complied with within seven (7) days effective 9th December, 2009;

• That the Players are to apologise to the Technical team and players of the Black Stars.

• That each person is to pay a fine of Five Thousand United States Dollars ($5000) each.

KOFI NSIAH
[GENERAL SECRETARY]