VIDEO - On Sunday the media celebrated Ghana's 2:0 win against the Czech Republic. Newspapers’ front pages displayed pictures of the "Black Stars," but also broadly reported of John Pantsil's waving of the Israeli flag during the game.
"No one really understands why Pantsil did it," said Ghana's television broadcaster Michael Adjei. "You in Israel were pleased with it, and even proud, but people in Ghana do not understand why he waved the Israeli flag and not Ghana's. He plays for and represents the Ghana team. It was a strange display."
In the first news conference after the game, a spokesman for the Ghana team was asked about the incident and the reactions from Arab countries.
"I heard that several Muslims and other people were offended, but Ghana's soccer federation hasn’t received an official complaint on the matter," answered the spokesman.
"In any event, the federation is apologizing for anyone who was offended by the event. We had a meeting after the game with the player and he explained his motives. It has to do with Pantsil's naivety and unawareness; perhaps he even displayed ignorance regarding the political ramifications of such an act," he said.
‘Everyone was proud of me’
"Pantsil plays for the Israeli league and is very popular and admired there. Many Israelis came to watch him and support the Ghana team because of him and two other team players (Pappoe Emmanuel and Adjei Sammy). Pantsil said that he wanted to make the Israeli fans who came especially to watch him happy. He didn't mean to make the headlines and definitely did not intend make a political statement for or against Israel…" said Adjei.
Pantsil remained calm, and despite the fact that Ghana team players are forbidden to talk to the press except during official news conferences, he agreed to a short interview at the hotel lobby.
Pantsil said people in Ghana fail to understand why he waved the Israeli flag and not the flag of Ghana, adding that he is a religious man who holds a special place in his heart for Israel.
He said that he received many phone calls, one in particular from Aryeh Hershkowitz, the manager of his Israeli soccer club Hapoel Tel Aviv.
“Everyone was very proud of me for bringing a little happiness to Israel,” he said