On Tuesday night, the Joy News Channel's evening bulletin was live when the Ghana Football Association website published a letter of apology from midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari.
Muntari was suspended indefinitely from the Black Stars, together with Kevin-Prince Boateng for what the GFA called, at the time, "disruptive behaviour" during Ghana’s participation at the 2014 Brazil World Cup.
The FA noted that Muntari had been suspended following ‘an unprovoked attack’ on team management member Moses Armah.
Fan reaction on social media after the letter has been heavily split.
Yaw SunTzu wrote on Joy FM's Facebook page: "Hell no! Officials would be beaten. Indiscipline would arise again. Hell no!"
Papa Yaw also wrote: "He has done his best for the country and we applaud him for all his efforts.... But I think is time we give the younger ones also a chance...."
Ogee Spirit said: "Of course he must" while Robert Mensah simply wrote: "Yes oo". Roland Ansah wrote on Twitter: "If only the coach wants him back to the black stars."
Another user, @IamGREE", said "He wants to chop World Cup and African Cup money again. After two years, why now an apology?"
Joseph Jerry asks: "Who can play better than he in midfield? Let him come!"
The comments illustrate how divided Ghanaians are on the issue.
VOTE: Would you want to see @MuntariOfficial back in the Black Stars?
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) June 8, 2016
The player has not appeared for the national team since the tournament although many have noted that timing of the letter is to begin endearing the Saudi Arabia-based player to national team selectors once more.
Ghana boss Avram Grant said at the time he was appointed to lead the team: “The door is open for everyone- they need to show they are willing to play – If they are willing to sacrifice then the door is open to them.”
And in his letter to the GFA, Muntari apologised for his actions in Brazil and expressed his willingness to play for the Black Stars again.
“I write to express my sincere apology to the Ghana Football Association and the entire nation for any embarrassment that my action in Brazil brought to the Black Stars Team, the Ghana Football Association and my beloved country Ghana,” Muntari wrote, “I have reflected on what happened and I am deeply sorry and apologize to all the stakeholders in the GFA who were offended by my actions.”
The Black Stars failed to make it out of their group in Brazil, which included Portugal, USA and eventual winners Germany
VIDEO
Israel Laryea and Gary Al-Smith discuss the letter's timing, its merits and the player's note that he is "always available to play for the Senior National Team of Ghana whenever I am invited."
Former GFA boss Lepowura MND Jawula has also advised, “I think it is good he has apologized finally to the FA but the question of whether he should be called back into the Black Stars should come from the Football Association and the head coach Avram Grant,” he told Asempa Sports.
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