Hearts requests for clarification on demand for special dispensation

Accra, Jan 11, GNA - Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club, winners of the maiden 2004 CAF Confederation Cup has written to the Ghana Football Association for clarification on their demand for special dispensation to enable them register competitive squad for this year's Champions League.

The request for the special dispensation came about after the Confederations of African Football (CAF) rescheduled the initial date for the Confederation Cup finals between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko from November 28 and December 2, last year to January 2 and 9, this year.

According to a letter signed by Mr Ashford Tettey Oku, Administrative Manager of Hearts copied to the GNA Sports, the request which came from both Kotoko and Hearts was because there will be little time for them to register competitive squads as the winner of the Confederation Cup will also participate in the CAF Super Cup soon afterwards.

The letter also reminded the GFA that Hearts will not likely honour the CAF provision which states that winners of a continental trophy automatically qualifies for the next edition.

The letter asked that the GFA replace the name of Hearts with another Ghanaian team.

It said the Club came to this conclusion after studying the fixtures for this year's CAF Confederation Cup and came to the realization that there is no place in the fixtures for the defending Champion.

The letter said that this situation has arisen because CAF went ahead to establish the fixtures for this year's Confederation Cup when the finals for last year's finals has not yet been cleared. Mr Oku also asked the GFA to seek CAF clarification if the club could exercise the luxury of choosing between the more prestigious CAF Champions League or attempt to defend successfully the Confederation Cup before the January 15 deadline for submission as they do not have blank Confederations Cup licences to fill.

The letter also asked the GFA to confirm through CAF the exact date for the Super Cup match against Eyimba of Nigeria.