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Former Hearts of Oak winger Bernard 'Don' Bortey has alleged John Paintsil killed his career after framing him for theft 15-years ago.

Bortey claims the controversy-infested former Ghana defender, falsely accused him of stealing a watch when he was on trial at Meccabi Tel Aviv in Israel in 2004.

Bortey's trial with the Israeli side ended after he was accused of theft and deported back to Ghana at a time when his career was peaking.

The 36-year old never got back to his best and blames John Painstil for playing a role in his fall from grace to grass.

"That boy is my friend but I don't want to talk about him (Painstil)," he told Joy FM reporters. "He is one of the reasons my career went this way," he added.

"Let's forget about him," he said in a disappointing tone.

"It wasn't John Painstil who got me to Israel for the trial but it was so good to join your compatriot at the same club. We were there one day and he just accused me of stealing a watch. It was just sad but let's forget about it."