Video footage shows a former West Ham fan favourite was at the centre of a furious bust-up with England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
Jude Bellingham was involved in a fiery albeit brief bust-up with Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz as England struggled in the 0-0 draw – but it was an ex Hammer who was actually at the centre of the altercation with the Real Madrid midfielder.
If Bellingham was frustrated, imagine how England fans felt watching the much-heralded wealth of talent toil against a side defending deep yet again.
None more so than West Ham-supporting Three Lions fans, as they had to watch in the knowledge captain Jarrod Bowen was left out of the squad in favour of the likes of Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon – two of the worst players on the pitch.
Former West Ham star Paintsil was true target in Bellingham row
The heated incident came at half-time and shortly after Bellingham fouled Jerome Opoku near to Ghana’s technical area.
Bellingham and Queiroz exchanged words and the England man was pulled away by team-mate Morgan Rogers while Ghana substitutes and staff stormed onto the pitch to hold back Queiroz.
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But eagle-eyed West Ham fans would have spotted it was actually former Hammers defender John Paintsil who Bellingham had the row with.
Bellingham approached Paintsil, who is Ghana’s assistant boss, and reportedly had a ‘bad reaction with some bad names’ according to Queiroz.
They say once a Hammer, always a Hammer and real Hammers don’t back down.
So Bellingham quickly discovered he had picked on the wrong person in ex West Ham star Paintsil, who became something of a cult hero in east London during his two-year stay.
Paintsil told Bellingham where to go in an angry flare-up and had to be restrained as Bellingham thought better of escalating the situation any further and walked off with his tail between his legs.
West Ham spotted Paintstil 20 years ago at 2006 World Cup
Paintsil actually caught West Ham’s eye 20 years ago at the 2006 World Cup with his performances for Ghana.
Alan Pardew beat several rivals to Paintsil’s signature that summer, bringing him to the east London from Hapoel Tel Aviv.
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During the treacherous 2006/2007 season, which saw a change of manager at the Hammers and the club avoiding relegation to the Championship by the skin of their teeth, the Ghanaian’s first in English football, he struggled for playing time.
In total, the International appeared just seven times during his first campaign and was left largely frustrated after it, reportedly wanting out of East London that summer.
Paintsil was persuaded to stay for the 2007/2008 season and his patience was rewarded during the steadier term by new boss Alan Curbishley, as the club avoided consecutive relegation battles to finish in mid-table.
The full-back, despite some stiff competition for places, managed to play 21 times in total for club and country in a season split up by the African Cup of Nations.
But, many of these were from the substitute bench and the African soon grew impatient, seeking a move across London to fellow Top-Flight side Fulham in 2008.
Paintsil perhaps joined the east Londoners at the wrong time and never stood much chance of succeeding.
But he still contributed with some memorable performances and his madcap, tough-tackling displays which meant he departed on good terms with Hammers fans.
West Ham supporters would have had a wry smile seeing Paintsil taking on Bellingham as the former full-back’s best quality was that he was never afraid of anyone.
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