Ghana Football Association officials have apologised after Hapoel Tel Aviv defender John Pantsil waved an Israeli flag to celebrate the World Cup win over the Czech Republic.

Spokesman Randy Abbey said Pantsil wanted to thank the people who had travelled to support him.

Abbey added: "He is unaware of international politics. We apologise to anybody who was offended.

"We promise that it will never happen again.

"He did not act out of malice for the Arab people or in support of Israel. He was naive...we don't need to punish him.

"We are not in support or against Israel or the Arab nations. We are here to do football, we are not here to do politics."