I lost a £2.3m contract after false accusations – John Paintsil opens up on career setbacks

Black Stars assistant coach John Paintsil has opened up about some challenging moments in his football career, including a jail stint and losing contracts that left him redundant for four years.Paintsil, a former Ghana international who played for Fulham, West Ham United, and Leicester City, shared his story during an interview on MzGees Just Being Us.He revealed that personal struggles, including a divorce, led to media controversies that derailed his career.”It was a difficult moment; it all started with my family issues. Divorce and all, it became a media issue. I lost my contract, the money involved was about 2.3 million. News came that I stabbed my ex-wife in the eye, which never happened, “Paintsil said.He shared how he was wrongfully accused and jailed, an ordeal that kept him out of contract for four years. “I dont know where that news came from, and I was arrested. I was imprisoned; it was difficult, so I was out of contract for four years. No team wanted to sign me.”Despite the setback, Paintsil credits his late mothers prayers and his own determination for pulling him through. Reflecting on his success, he emphasised the importance of respect, hard work, and teamwork in sports.”You cannot go to training and start kicking your teammates… if these 5 players are key in the team and they do not want you, they will go to the coach and say, We do not want this player,” Paintsil advised.