Hearts pardon Quaye and Kuffour

Accra, Feb 27, GNA- The Interim Management Committee (IMC) of Accra Hearts of Oak has announced the permanent lifting of the ban imposed on Dan Quaye and Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, key players of the club early in the month.

A statement signed by Mr Thomas Okine, the Chairman of the IMC copied to the GNA Sports said the measure was done at the request of the newly signed on coach of the team, Ernst Middendorp in consultation with management since both believe the duo must be given a second chance to prove themselves worthy of wearing the Phobian colours again. The statement explained that the action was taken in support of the coaches' mission and philosophy of setting up a mediatory talks with management and having pointed to the players their indiscretions at a meeting.

Mr Okine, however, maintains that the players will forfeit their February salaries irrespective of the pardon.

The IMC suspended Quaye and Kuffour for two months and a month respectively for what they described as gross misconduct by the players in a jointly signed statement by Mr Okine and former coach Herbert Addo. The suspension according to information gathered by the GNA Sports stemmed from what they described as gross indiscipline before, during and after the Hearts game against King Faisal in the just ended Coca Cola Top Four competition played at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

The Phobians' lost the game when they conceded a late minute through a harmless weak shot that was scored by Joe Agyemang of Faisal to end the proceedings.