Soccer News of Wednesday, 3 March 2004

Source: GNA

Bortey given ultimatum to report to camp

Accra, March 3, GNA - Bernard Don Bortey, a player of Accra Hearts of Oak has been given an ultimatum by the club's management to report to the Mendskrom campsite of the team immediately.

A statement signed by Mr Thomas Okine and copied to the GNA Sports said information reaching the management has it that Bortey has been absent from camp since February 29 and has disregarded all attempts by Ernst Middendorp, the new head coach to join them.

"We take a strong exception to this your (Bortey) behaviour and issue this ultimatum to report to camp immediately in your own interest." said Mr Okine

The statement further reminded the player of his obligations to Accra Hearts of Oak under the contract between him and the club. Mr Okine warned the player that no amount of arm-twisting or mischief would dissuade the management from seeking the interest of

Hearts of Oak as they deem it fit.

Information has it that Don Bortey has been dropped from the provincial list of German Coach Middendorp for not attending training. The player is said to be busy trying to secure a German visa to enable him travel for trials with German first division side, SV Hamburg.

Accra Hearts of Oak are scheduled to travel to Mali via a chartered Air Force plane on Thursday for the first leg preliminary round of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions league. Hearts, the 2000 CAF Champions league winners have not had a good run with the tournament since their triumph, having failed on three consecutive occasions to reach the lucrative mini league stage.