Soccer News of Saturday, 20 November 2004

Source: GNA

Hearts and Kotoko strike deal towards Confederation Cup

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA - The Interim Management Committee (IMC) of Accra Hearts of Oak and the Management Board of Kumasi Asante Kotoko have struck a mutual agreement concerning the organization of the two leg finals of the Confederations Cup Competition between the two clubs. This was contained in a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two clubs on November 19, by their respective Chief Executives and representatives.

Messrs Tommy Okine and Francis Mac Carthy, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Hearts IMC signed for their club whilst Major Yaw Larson, Chief Executive Officer and Mr Jerry Asare, Kotoko's Accra Representative signed for Kumasi Asante Kotoko and was witnessed by Mr Welbeck Abra-Appiah, Chairman of the Professional League Board (PLB).

According to the agreement, both clubs have mutually discussed and agreed that Articles 5(4), 5(10) and 7(a, b, c, d and f) of the CAF regulations of Inter-Clubs competitions shall not be applied during the two leg finals.

The regulations gives room for the home team to shoulder the finances of a visiting team during the competition for at least five days before the match.

The two clubs have therefore decided to forgo this arrangement in a bid to reduce cost and give positive signals of peace to the their teeming fans.

Following this arrangement, Kumasi Asante Kotoko will cater for their hotel fees, internal transport as well as other expenses when they travel to Accra for the first leg game scheduled for November 28 and vice versa for Hearts when they travel to Kumasi for the second leg encounter.

The agreement however states that should any of the side's exercise the discretion of using the venue of the match for training as stated in Article 5(d), it must be enforced.

Hearts and Kotoko will play in the historic two-leg finals of the Confederations Cup Competitions on November 28 and December 11 at the Accra and Kumasi Sports Stadium respectively.