Black Stars coach Otto Addo has condemned the rising trend of online abuse directed at players, voicing his frustration over normalising such negative behaviour.
Addo, who has previously represented Ghana as an international player, emphasised that while constructive criticism is welcome, personal insults and abuse have no place in football. He underscored that such attacks adversely impact the team and undermine players’ morale.
The coach highlighted that past incidents of mistreatment have influenced player decisions, citing left-back Baba Rahman as an example.
Rahman, currently thriving with PAOK in Greece, has reportedly declined national team invitations in the past due to the abuse he faced, including boos and negative online comments.
“You can criticise me when I am wrong; when things aren’t going well for the players, you can criticise them too. But what’s wrong is for you or the fans to insult the players,” Addo said.
“They have families, kids, friends, and wives. When they see these insults, it affects them. No player joins the national team on their own; coaches invite them. So, it’s our responsibility to stand against any actions that put players in a negative light.”
Addo’s remarks come ahead of Ghana’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola. He seeks to start the new campaign on a positive note and foster a supportive environment for the team.
