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Experienced Ghanaian football administrator and chief executive of Aduana Stars, Albert Commey has criticised Ghanaian footballers for being financially indisciplined, comparing their fiscal habits to taxi drivers.

Majority of Ghanaian footballers who were thought to be well-off during their playing careeres have gone bankrupt after retiring due to their extravagant lifestyle during their active days.

Football pundits have usually criticised the poor remuneration of players in the domestic competitions, blaming the deplorable nature of the footballers on that. But Commey, who has had stints with Accra Hearts of Oak, Medeama SC and Aduana Stars all in the Ghanaian top flight has indicated that the players are to be blamed for their poor spending habits.

The Aduana CEO has however advised players to have proper investement plans during their playing days rather than spending their income as taxi drivers does.

“You have to invest or look for a financial expert to guide you in how to invest. But immediately they [footballers] get the money, their whole attitude changes. For instance, when I was at Hearts of Oak, I remember for the first time a player was given Gh¢ 40,000 (as signing on fee) and if you look at the way he behaved, even trying to tell him that it’s dangerous carrying such amount in town, he told us he is old enough to handle his money,” Commey told Kumasi-based Ultimate FM.

“Within a month he had blown half already. After some few months, he came begging for money from colleagues. So that is how bad it is. They behave typically like the taxi drivers, blowing money always and when the car breaks down, they are in trouble,” he added.

Commey added: “Look at Jacob Nartey, [he] has not gone outside before but he’s built not just one house and I tell you he’s living well. Emmanuel Akuoko (Aduana Stars captain) has a five-bedroom [house] in Kumasi and you will be surprised he has not travelled outside before.”