The Public Relations Officer for Asante Kotoko, Kennedy Boakye-Ansah, has confirmed to Happy Sports that the team has settled the $240,000 debt owed Tunisian giants Esperance as they were relieved off the $45,000 accrued interest from the fine.

Asante Kotoko were slapped with a $240,000 fine by FIFA for the illegal transfer of Emmanuel Clottey in 2005.

The fine by FIFA comprised $180,000 for the player’s transfer, $45,000 representing accrued interest and $15,000 for the failure to respect a FIFA decision.

Happy Sports understands that the team settled the debt on Tuesday 28 April, 2020 to avoid further sanctions from FIFA.

Asante Kotoko were given up to May 17 to offset the debt or face stricter sanctions from the world governing football body.

“FIFA brought a final decision that If we if don’t make payment by May 17 there will be stricter sanctions. On the 20 April, Kotoko sent an amount of $20,000 to Esperance and another $15,000 was sent to FIFA”, he told Ohene-Bampoe Brenya on Happy Sports on Happy 98.9FM.

“The case is between Kotoko and Esperance. A fine of $45,000 was also imposed on FIFA. Through Ashford Tetteh Oku we spoke to Esperance and they have written it off.

“They (Esperance) were also owing us in the Kwame Bonsu transfer deal of $150,000 so we used it to offset the $180,000. Then we sent $30,000 to them. We have settled the case and communicated to FIFA, he added.