GRi Sports 29 - 07 - 2003

Declare your stand GFA-Hearts

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 July 2003 - Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club has called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to give its own interpretations of the FIFA ruling, on the on-going Charles Taylor Saga since conflicting views have been expressed on the issue.

A statement signed by Ernest Thompson Board Secretary of the club, noted that the GFA had come out that opinions in the Daily Graphic and The Ghanaian Times to the effect that the player is floating and a free agent after the payment of the ¢650m compensation is not that of the GFA.

The statement is therefore asking the GFA to come out with its own opinion on the case. On the issue of rejection of the letter of apology sent by Kotoko, the statement said the GFA was silent on its position adding that the apology for inconvenience was inappropriate since Kotoko was not fined for inconvenience while the letter was not on the current letterhead of Kotoko.

The statement said the club is waiting for the position of the GFA on the Kotoko "yi bi ma" fund raising for Charles Taylor and expressed the hope that the FA would give Kotoko a deadline to respond the issue. On the sports sanctions imposed on Taylor the statement said the GFA did not take into consideration article 26 (1) (a) and 25 (1) of their own rules and the club intends to contest it.

The statement said the clubs' position on the player still remains, adding that on a proper interpretations of the FIFA rules and regulations on transfer of players, Hearts is entitled to compensation for training and development despite the payment of compensation for the breach of the contract.

Referring to the latest case on Argentine international Aeriel Ortega, Thompson said the Fenerbache Sports Club despite the compensation imposed on Ortega, still have rights over the player. The statement said the Turkish club is considering swapping him with Martin Palermo a player of another club.
GRi…/

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