Soccer News of Saturday, 14 June 2003

Source: Soccer Express

Charles Taylor Writes To Hearts

Bismarck Kwaku Asante Asampong, alias Charles Taylor, seems to have taken the first step in helping to salvage his career from further disruption and imminent collapse. In a three paragraphed letter he signed and distributed to the media in Kumasi yesterday, Taylor wrote to Accra Hearts of Oak for the first time since unceremoniously vacating his contract with them for the comfort of Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

The letter, which was distributed to the press, The Executive Chairman of Accra Hearts of Oak, the Chairman of the IMC of Kotoko and the chairman of the Ghana Football Association, appealed in part to Hearts of Oak that 'nothing should be done to make my release from the club mar the good relationship that had existed between us.'

The player maintained that he is still desirous to play for Kotoko and that the decision is irrevocable. 'I have at the least opportunity stated clearly that I have decided not to play for Hearts of Oak again and that I will play for Asante Kotoko. My decision to play for Kotoko is irreversible. I have accordingly instructed my solicitors to write to Hearts of Oak to ask for the place, date and time of the meeting with them as directed by the GFA.'

However Accra Hearts of Oak says it has not received any such letter from Taylor or his agents or solicitors, but in any case do not think the GFA is ordering a meeting between them and the player.

Mr. Randy Abbey, a Public Relations Consultant to the club yesterday told a source that the advise given by the FA in its ruling last Tuesday in the now famous Charles Taylor Saga, that the two parties must meet within a week to resolve their differences is only an opinion and cannot be binding on Hearts.

Hearts Of Oak, it appears are not in a hurry to get to the bottom of the case, having had their previously held view that Taylor had a contract to serve the club duly confirmed.

Asked how soon Hearts are prepared to meet with Taylor, Randy said it could be any day soon but could not specify when except to assure that the parties would definitely meet.