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Ghana goalie offered bribe to throw World Cup match
Richard Kingson says he said no to the offer he could refuse
11/09/2012 01:02 PM
Image Text: PRINCIPLED: Kingson takes time out on the turf during an international match
BLACK STARS shot-stopper Richard Kingson has spoken of how he was offered a $300,000 (£187,000) bribe to lose a 2006 World Cup fixture on purpose.
He said he rejected the bribe.
The 34-year-old Ghanaian keeper said the cash on the table was to throw his country’s match against the Czech Republic, ensuring a 2-0 defeat.
Kingson conceded he was tempted, considering the implications, before saying no.
“In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, we were about to play Czech Republic”, the international goalie told a Nigerian church. “By then they were the second best in the world.
“A Ghanaian led me to some people to take a bribe and it was this woman [his wife] who delivered me and delivered Ghanaians. I was very confused and I didn’t know what to do but I called her and told her.”
The bribe money was 100 times more than the $3,000 (£1,870) bonus for a Ghana victory.
It was Kingson’s wife who helped him resist the temptation. “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’.”
In the end, the game’s result meant the keeper could not be accused of financially benefitting – the African nation was victorious with a 2-0 win over the Czechs, courtesy of goals from Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari.
However, the Ghanaians were sent home after their first knockout game, losing 3-0 to Brazil.
Richard Kingson says he said no to the offer he could refuse
11/09/2012 01:02 PM
Image Text: PRINCIPLED: Kingson takes time out on the turf during an international matchBLACK STARS shot-stopper Richard Kingson has spoken of how he was offered a $300,000 (£187,000) bribe to lose a 2006 World Cup fixture on purpose.
He said he rejected the bribe.
The 34-year-old Ghanaian keeper said the cash on the table was to throw his country’s match against the Czech Republic, ensuring a 2-0 defeat.
Kingson conceded he was tempted, considering the implications, before saying no.
“In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, we were about to play Czech Republic”, the international goalie told a Nigerian church. “By then they were the second best in the world.
“A Ghanaian led me to some people to take a bribe and it was this woman [his wife] who delivered me and delivered Ghanaians. I was very confused and I didn’t know what to do but I called her and told her.”
The bribe money was 100 times more than the $3,000 (£1,870) bonus for a Ghana victory.
It was Kingson’s wife who helped him resist the temptation. “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’.”
In the end, the game’s result meant the keeper could not be accused of financially benefitting – the African nation was victorious with a 2-0 win over the Czechs, courtesy of goals from Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari.
However, the Ghanaians were sent home after their first knockout game, losing 3-0 to Brazil.