Ex-Black Stars keeper blows lid on bribe offer

ABUJA – Former Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson has, staggeringly, admitted that he rejected a $300,000 bribe in the 2006 Fifa World Cup. The player was charmed into throwing Ghana’s second game group match against the Czech Republic.Speaking at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Nigeria, the player said the then-rated number two side from Eastern Europe were supposed to have won 2-0, had he taken up the offer.“I got confused weighing the options of getting richer by $300,000 after that match, whereas all that I would get in the event of a Ghana victory would be much less - just $3000,” the goalie told Emmanuel TV, the church’s broadcast arm.According to Kingson, his wife was the biggest influence in his refusal of the offer. “But my wife said, ‘Richard, I love you not because of your money, so don’t get tempted by this offer to lose your dignity and credibility.”Kingson was eventually rated one of the top three goalkeepers in that Germany 2006 World Cup and eventually, Ghana won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari.Ghana went on to beat the USA 2-1 in their last group match to qualify for the second round before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat to eventual champions, Italy.Agencies

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Ex-Black Stars keeper blows lid on bribe offer