Ghana midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari was engaged in angry verbal exchanges with the Minister of Sports in the full view of the rest of the playing body of the Black Stars. Alhaji Muntaka Mubabrak Mohammed, the new government appointee, has confirmed the incident which happened last Wednesday before the weekend’s World Cup qualifier against Benin. The Inter Milan player clashed with the minister in a rift over the bonuses when the minister met the Black Stars over money for the World Cup qualifiers. While the minister claims he had insisted that the bonuses be maintained at US$8,000 against the US$10,000, asked for by players, insiders say government had proposed to reduce it to US$6,000 per win. Mohammed is reported to have warned the Black Stars that they would be replaced by the national U-20 team if they rejected the offer infuriating Muntari. The angry Muntari dared the minister to bring the Black Satellites to play against Benin instead of the Black Stars. Mohammed said: “Yes an incident took place at the Novotel Hotel while I was discussing the bonuses issue. “The captain and other senior players in the squad came to apologise to me over the incident and now the issue is closed.” Despite claims by the minister that the issue has been resolved the strained relationship was evident on Sunday when Muntaka inspected both teams. His handshake to the Inter Milan player was not firm as he did with the other players and Muntari also looked away as the minister approached him. Source: ghanasoccernet