The Asante Kotoko management has issued a warning to archrivals Hearts of Oak regarding the utterance of bribery allegations by its members.

In a statement signed by the club’s administrative manager, Benjamin Nti, ‘It has been well noted by our club that whenever Hearts lose to Kotoko a tirade of allegations, paramount among which is the bribery of their players by Kotoko to play soft to ensure a win for Kotoko is leveled against our club.’

According to the statement, ‘Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC has painstakingly built an image of integrity over the years and such derogatory comments which has the potential to mare our cooperate image will no longer be entertained.’

Contained in the statement is an advice to Hearts of Oak ‘to soul search and fix whatever setbacks they may have within their fold before the game on Sunday. This we hope will avert any such allegations in the event that they lose to our Beloved Club, Kumasi Asante Kotoko.’

According to the statement, the Asante Kotoko hierarchy believes that ‘The adverse effects of such unwarranted comments cannot be overemphasized. We therefore hope that this expression of our displeasure will be accepted in good faith for the beauty of the game. Kumasi Asante Kotoko therefore demands fair play before, during and after the game. Let football be the winner on Sunday.’