Ghana's Cup bounty could be seized: Brazil

Jun 25, 2014 - 9:29 PM Ghana's president has personally ordered $US3 million ($A3.25 million) in cash to be sent to its World Cup players in Brazil to settle a pay dispute - but Brazilian authorities say they may step in and seize the bounty.

The money, in cash, is expected to arrive in Brazil on a plane on Wednesday to appease the players, who are unhappy at being denied bonus payments.

But it might not even get to the players, with customs officials in Brazil saying they could take the money away.

They say bringing in an amount as large as $3 million and not declaring it to authorities would be illegal and that the entire amount could be confiscated.

Individuals cannot bring in more than $4,500 each without having it subject to taxes, said Brazil's Federal Police, who enforce custom and immigration laws.

The nation's federal tax agency also said it knew of no exemptions for any individuals or entities, including Ghana's World Cup team.

But Ghana's players appear to be counting on the windfall.

Asked what the players will do with the appearance-fee cash - reportedly between $75,000 and $100,000 each - if they receive it as planned on Wednesday, midfielder Christian Atsu said: "I think we will keep it in our bags and we'll just lock them. And we will transfer the money to our accounts."

The issue came to a head on Tuesday when the players and team management had a meeting instead of conducting a training session.

President John Dramani Mahama "personally spoke to the players" to assure them they would receive the money, the Ghana Football Association said in a statement.

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah said players aren't being paid by electronic transfer because "the practice in Ghana has always been paying the money in cash."

Like other African countries playing at the World Cup, Ghana's government is financing the player bonuses.

Before the tournament, Cameroon's squad refused to board a plane to Brazil until their demands for improved bonuses were met. There have also been rumblings of discontent over pay in the Nigeria and Ivory Coast camps.

Source: AAP