Soccer News of Tuesday, 22 May 2001

Source: Panafrican News Agency

FIFA Decision Puts Accra Hearts in Damps

African champions, Accra Hearts of Oak, on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction with the decision taken by the global football's governing body, FIFA, to cancel this year's World Clubs Championship in Spain.

Hearts' treasurer, Maxwell Addo, said the decision dealt a severe financial blow to the club.

Some of the club's top players such as Emmanuel Kuffour and Ishmael Addo, he said, had turned down lucrative offers in anticipation of better deals after the Spain tournament.

"The psychological loss is irreparable. I can't quantify the financial loss now," Addo said.

FIFA had given Hearts of Oak 500,000 dollars to enable them prepare for the tournament.