Sports Ministry Won't Pay Compensation For Plavi

It is certain that the relationship between the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Serbian Goran Stevanovic is over as far as the senior national football team, the Black Stars are concerned, but the GFA will have to look for cash to pay the divorce settlement as the Ministry of Youth and Sports responsible for paying the coach's salary, is not enthused about paying the compensation that is likely to come with such a seperation. Though the Ministry, the bankroller for Stevanovic�s salary, will support the GFA in its decisions after the consultations the two have had, it is not likely to contribute any cash for the compensation. At the moment, Plavi is paid $45,000 with the Ministry paying part and the GFA supplementing from sponsorship money. The two parties have held discussions over the issue with the Ministry reportedly giving the GFA the green light to take a decision it finds best in the interest of the Stars and the country, but sources close to the Ministry yesterday told the Graphic Sports that �the Ministry was not enthused about making any financial commitment� should the GFA decide to send the Serbian packing. �The Ministry is happy that it has been kept abreast with the issues on the coach and will support the GFA. However, with so much money already spent on the Stars and more to be spent with the impending CAN CAN 2013 and the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, the Ministry will not want to be saddled with further financial burden,� a source close to the Minsitry told the Graphic Sports. This has left the GFA scratching its head over how to raise the money for the settlement should the members of the Executive Committee (ExCo) carry out their resolve to abrograte the two-year contract which has just gone past its first year. At their February 22 meeting, members of the Exco were adamant that the coach be given the sack as some found his attitude as disrespectful with others going as far leaking his technical report to the media, creating some tension between the two parties. Yesterday, the ExCo members were locked up in an emergency meeting to deliberate and matters arising out of the decision they would make, key is where the money to pay the compensation will come from.