#Number12: Hearts of Oak condemn Anas for posing as club official

The Management of Accra Hearts of Oak Football Club, has condemned investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his firm Tiger Eye PI for illegally posing as officials of the club during his undercover investigations into corruption at the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

In the documentary dubbed “Number 12”, members of Tiger Eye PI posed as club officials of Accra Hearts of Oak and bribed Referee Samuel Suka in order to help the club win the game against Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

After the premiering of the documentary on Wednesday, 6 June, the club’s management issued a statement saying: “We believe that anything legal and ethical that uncovers the truth, creates transparency and makes people accountable is good for football in Ghana. We all need to hold ourselves to the highest standards on and off the pitch, if we wish to realise the vast potential of the sport here.

“While we were pleased and not surprised that no official of our club was implicated in the report, we are deeply disturbed that Accra Hearts of Oak SC was used by actors planted by the production company to serve their purpose.

“This unauthorised use of imposters posing as club officials is not something we will ever condone, and we strongly condemn it.

“As a club, we have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to any sort of bribery or match manipulation. This policy is covered in our club’s code of ethics in employment agreements and contracts signed by our coaches and players. Anyone violating this policy will be immediately terminated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“We also strongly believe in due process and hope that those that have been accused have the opportunity to defend themselves without prejudice. That said, we also call upon those who know they have done wrong to look in the mirror and do the right thing by immediately resigning from their positions.”