Soccer News of Friday, 13 September 2002

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High court restrains Kotoko

A Kumasi High Court has granted an injunction filed by Mr. Ian Poterfield, the sacked Kumasi Asante Kotoko coach, restraining the management of the club from forcibly ejecting him from his residential accommodation.

The court also ordered his official vehicle, which was taken away from him to be returned to him, saying that the grounds on which the vehicle was taken away was untenable.

Last week, the management of Kotoko terminated the contract of Poterfield, claiming insubordination and disrespect as the grounds for his dismissal. The Board of Directors of the club endorsed the action of the management, but Mr. Poterfield who felt aggrieved by the decision dragged the club to court for wrongful dismissal.

A writ filed by Mr. Kwasi Afrifa, the coach's counsel, said the termination of the appointment of his client was a breach of contract and had no legal basis.

Mr. Poterfield had accused Herbert Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of Kotoko, for assault and battery and a threat on him and his wife's lives. He said Mr. Mensah molested him at half time when Kotoko were trailing 0-1 to Great Olympics in a Premier League match on Sunday, August 25. Kotoko however, won the match 2-1.

After the termination of Poterfield's appointment, he was threatened with ejection from his official residence and his official car taken away from him.