Kotoko welfare club reacts to fine

Accra (Greater Accra), 31st May 99 --

The welfare club of Kumasi Asante Kotoko has expressed its utter dismay at the one-million cedi each imposed on its board chairman, Mr Herbert Mensah and the club following a fracas during the Dawu-Kotoko football match on Sunday, May nine.

A statement issued in Accra on Sunday said, "we cannot understand the rationale behind the FA's decision and have been wondering if the FA has any sense of direction".

It said in that particular match which ended 1-1, Kotoko were intimidated by the Dawu fans adding that it took the team over 30 minutes to enter the Dawu stadium.

The statement wondered, "how can a visiting team feel comfortable when there is blood in the dressing room; and its chairman prevented from entering the inner perimeter of the stadium when in fact he has the right to do so.

It noted that it has now become the norm for fans of visiting teams to provoke Kotoko supporters to ensure that there is some clash adding that referees have also been taking strange decision against the team.

Reacting to yet another violence in Sunday, May 23, Kotoko-Okwawu match at the Nkawkaw park, the statement wondered why the Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Alhaji M.N.D. Jawula could "go on air to accuse Herbert Mensah for inciting violence" without cross-checking the facts.

The statement asked why Real Tamale United have not been sanctioned over the rampant cases of crowd violence and intimidation at the Kaladan park.

"The men at the helm of affairs are just concerned about keeping their teams in absolute comfort on their own terms", the statement said.

The welfare club warned the GFA that if it fails to act swiftly on the issue they shall advise themselves.

"Football clubs are private organisations and we may have to perhaps advise our authorities to set up a new league devoid of fraud, nepotism and the brazen acts of violence sanctioned by the FA", it added.

The GFA last Tuesday imposed a one million cedis penalty each on Mr Mensah, (Kotoko) and Mr Seth Yeboah, Chairman of Dawu Youngsters over violence that broke out in their match at Dawu.

GRi?/