CAF rejects Ittihad's protest against Kotoko

Accra, Aug 11, GNA - The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has thrown out a protest filed by Libyan side, Al-Ittihad against Kumasi Asante Kotoko over the use of an alleged unqualified player in their Confederation Cup third round fixture last July.

The Libyan champions lodged a protest against Asante Kotoko over the use of lanky defender Godfred Yeboah in both legs, which saw the "Porcupine Warriors" cruise through to the group phase with a 4-3 aggregate.

Ittihad's protest was on the premise that Yeboah, who served the second round of the last Premier League season on loan with Wa All Stars was not qualified to play.

A highly placed source at the CAF headquarters in Cairo told GNA Sports on telephone on Monday that "the protest was rejected based on Article 20 "A" of the rules and regulations of the competition," after the Committee for Player Statutes and Legal Affairs met on Sunday. Article 20 "A" of the regulations of the Confederations Cup states " It (protest) must be preceded by a nominal and motivated protest formulated on the match form, before the match by the captain of the protesting team and communicated to the captain of the opposing team who will countersign it."

The issue is therefore contrary to what pertained in this sense, where the Libyan Club was said to have filed their protest after the game.

"The result of the said match has been ratified in favour of Kotoko," the official added. Ittihad also forfeited the $1200 protest fee following the Committee's decision. Meanwhile, Yeboah would not be eligible for any of the matches till the next meeting of the CAF Inter-Clubs Committee on September 12. Kotoko will launch their campaign against Tunisian side Etoille du Sahel in Sousse on Sunday August 17.