Former International Relations Manager of Kumasi Asante Kotoko says accounts of widespread corruption over player transfer within Dr Kofi Kondua Sarpong’s management are fictitious and sinister attempt to dent his reputation.
Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), this week launched a blistering attack at the former Kokoto chief executive officer accusing him of gross malpractices.
Dr K.K. Sarpong was also accused of seeking to enter into agreements with Congolese Club TP Mazambe and Petro Atletico of Angola, which contravenes FIFA’s regulations and procedures.
Kwame Baah Nuako speaking to GhanaWeb.com on Friday submitted that claims by Mr Nyantakyi that Kotoko under declared the transfer fee of Ben Acheampong to Petro Atletico were deceitful and must be ignored.
Mr Baah Nuako who resigned his position a few days ago, could not fathom why the GFA president fell short of using his position to authenticate Kotoko’s claims from the appropriate quarters.
“Ben Acheampong’s deal with Petro Atletico was not shrouded in secrecy as the GFA president would want the whole world to believe. There’s no dishonesty in the deal we had and Mr Nyantakyi must acknowledge that.
“Dr K.K. Sarpong is an astute administrator and would not dabble in frivolities. We are very much surprised by the utterances of Mr Nyantakyi,” Mr Baah Nuako stressed.
However, documents sighted by GhanaWeb.com confirmed that Ben Acheampong’s transfer fee to Petro Atletico was $150,000 with a co-operation fee of $100,000 between the two clubs and not the purported $250,000 reported by a section of the media.
It was also glaring on the document that Kotoko’s bank account at the Ahodwo branch of Fidelity Bank was used for the transaction and not Dr. K.K. Sarpong’s personal account.
Mr Baah Nuako further brushed aside Mr Nyantakyi’s assertion that FIFA and CAF regulations bar clubs from entering into co-operation agreement that allows two clubs to enjoy certain privileges from each other.
He said in Europe lots of clubs have entered into such an agreement and are making substantial progress in developing the game.
“It may come in a form of what is termed first refusal, where a particular team is handed the first option to buy a player. Based on the club’s decision other teams are also allowed to bid for the player.
“So co-operation agreement is not something untoward, and it is in line with FIFA’s regulations,” Mr Baah Nuako argued.
He asserted that money paid to Wa All Stars, which is owned by Mr Nyantayi as its percentage of Ben Acheampong’s transfer was accompanied by appropriate documentation.
Acknowledging that it was the GFA boss who recommended Daniel Nii Adjei and Yaw Frimpong to TP Mazembe, he disclosed that Kotoko after the transaction took advantage to enter into a co-operation agreement with TP Mazembe, which fetched, the club some amount of money.
He, however, dared Mr Nyantakyi to proceed to FIFA if he thinks Dr K.K. Sarpong engaged in an illegality during those transactions.
“Dr. K.K. Sarpong’s hands are clean, and he is prepared to clear his name anywhere any time,” he added.
Dr K.K. Sarpong a few days ago also relinquished his position as the Chief Executive Officer of the club to allow an audit of his three-year spell at the club.