Former Ghana international Jerry Akaminko has leapt to John Boye's defence following the controversy during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Boye was captured on camera kissing a bundle of cash after the Black Stars finally received payment for the arrears after agitation over unpaid appearance fees ahead of a must-win last group match against Portugal.
The photo went viral on social media, becoming the subject of many discussions. To make matter worse, Boye scored an own goal against Portugal as Ghana exited the competition at the group stage for the first time ever.
"Well, I think he wasn’t wrong. You people (football fanatics) the way you understand things are different from we that we are in the game," Akaminko told Citi Sports.
"We might not think the same, so it doesn’t mean you’re wrong, it doesn’t mean you’re right.
"Because for somebody to have worked that hard and not get his money and got his money at the time was a different feeling.
He added, "I’m sure he intentionally did that for the camera. Maybe I could do the same thing in my room or whatever and camera could catch me. That doesn’t make me a bad sports person or anything."
"John Boye has seen 100,000 before, maybe more. Why did the money stay too long before getting to them?
"Why would they travel without money to place while they could have gotten their money without anybody seeing John Boye kissing their money."