Government sends $3-million cash to avoid Ghana boycott vs. Portugal

In response to the Ghana national team boycotting training, and the increasing threat the side would abandon its final Group Stage match against Portugal, the Ghanian government has sent more than $3-million in cash to Brazil. 

The money was promised to players as World Cup qualifying bonuses that were supposed to be paid weeks ago. The appearance fees are said to be approximately $75,000 each.

According to the BBC, Deputy Sports Minister Joseph Yamin told Ghanaian radio station Citi FM: 

The players insisted that they will want physical cash. The government had to mobilize the money and a chartered flight to Brazil. The money is in excess of $3-million.

With growing unrest and the threat of a boycott looming, Ghana President John Dramani Mahama personally promised the players that on Tuesday they would receive what was owed to them.

According to a statement from the Ghana Football Association: 

The government is pre-financing the payment of the Black Stars appearance fees which will be reimbursed when FIFA's prize money for Ghana's participation in the World Cup is paid after the tournament in Brazil.

Ghana need a win over Portugal on Thursday combined with a Germany win over the United States (or a U.S. blow-out win over the Germans), to advance to the Round of 16.