By Kwame Bediako
Bigscout Media has issued an unqualified apology to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after publishing allegations that Black Stars forward Prince Owusu was asked to give up part of his earnings in exchange for a national team call-up. The media outlet has also removed the content from its platforms, bringing an end to a dispute that prompted legal action from the football governing body.
The apology followed a cease-and-desist letter from the GFA’s lawyers, Odupong & Kishiwale, who described the allegations as false, baseless, and defamatory. The association categorically denied claims that any of its officials had demanded, solicited, or accepted money from Owusu or any other player in relation to selection for the Black Stars.
According to the legal notice, the allegations stemmed from an interview featuring a woman identified as Owusu’s cousin, who claimed GFA officials had requested 70 percent of the striker’s potential FIFA World Cup earnings. The lawyers instructed Bigscout Media to remove the video, refrain from repeating the allegations, preserve all relevant digital material, and publish a public retraction and apology within 48 hours.
In response, Bigscout Media confirmed it had complied with the demands by deleting the content and pledged not to republish similar allegations. The outlet expressed regret for allowing its platform to be used to “smear the image” of the GFA, emphasizing that its apology was made without reservation.
Prince Owusu has also rejected the allegations, describing them as completely false while reaffirming his commitment to representing Ghana. The GFA, meanwhile, reiterated that the selection of players for the Black Stars is solely the responsibility of the head coach and stressed that it has never requested or accepted money from players in exchange for national team call-ups.
