Hearts of Oak-Lions match was fixed -Kotoko

Kumasi, Nov 14, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko says it has in its possession credible evidence that incriminates Accra Hearts of Oak and Heart of Lions for fixing their last Premier League match at Kpando on Sunday, October 23.

According to the Interim Management Team (IMT), Kotoko has stumbled on a tape recording of a voice they suspect to be that of Mr Victor Ahiakpor, founder and bankroller of Lions promising to give Hearts the maximum three points and three or four goals in the match as well as the suspected voice of Mr Thomas Okine, Chief Executive of Hearts of Oak.

Addressing a press conference in Kumasi on Monday, Mr Kwabena Kesse, IMT member said Kotoko was therefore forwarding the tape to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to listen to it and ascertain whether the voices on the tapes were those of Mr Ahiakpor and Mr Okine for the necessary action to be taken.

Mr Kesse said the tape revealed that Mr Ahiakpor visited Hearts of Oak at their camp during their preparation against Lions and it was there that he assured Hearts of the maximum points and goals. Mr Jarvis Peprah, who is in-charge of Administration and Public Relations, said Kotoko would not do anything that would bring Ghana football into disrepute.

He however said that, "Those who live in glass-houses should not throw stones", but regretted that those crying foul in the game were the very ones perpetrating the same crime.

When pressed by the media to reveal the course of the tape, Mr Kesse said Kotoko can for the moment only say that the source is a Hearts of Oak supporter who was angered by the accusations levelled against Kotoko by Hearts.

He said the provider of the tape was ready to testify anywhere and at any time and therefore hoped that the GFA would investigate the matter thoroughly and come out with the appropriate sanctions against the offenders.