Ghana defender John Paintsil
Ghana defender John Paintsil has threatened to sue South African newspaper for claiming that he was sacked by PSL side Maritzburg United for misconduct.
The experienced right-back wants Citizen Phakaaathi to retract their publication which he claims has caused him an irreparable damage to his reputation.
Paintsil says it will be tough for him to get a new club after he was painted in the media as a ‘party boy’.
The Ghanaian defender was released last week – along with club captain Ashley Hartog – after Ernst Middendorp deemed them surplus to requirements.
Paintsil has threatened to sue, telling KickOff.com: “What they wrote, they must go back and rip it up. If not I'm going to sue them.
“The club has confirmed that they have never spoken to them about me and misconduct, of having parties for the kids and not letting them sleep and Ashley Hartog … all that.
“I'm professional player and I respect myself and I don't do that. I’m here to help the young ones to achieve what I have achieved.”
The 34-year-old, who was part of the Ghana squad at the 2010 World Cup, helped Maritzburg finish in the top eight last season for the first time in club’s history.