Football law expert Kofi Manu has lauded the management of Asante Kotoko for their decision to pull out of the ongoing Normalization Committee (NC) tier-one competition over what the club deem to be unjustifiable refusal of the NC “to grant our legal request for change of venue and equitable distribution of gate proceeds of our semi final match against Hearts of Oak”.
The NC in the course of the competition, supplied the competing clubs with a revised version of the Competition’s regulations, stating the new format for the competition from the semi final phase to the final, but the said regulation was vague on venues for the semi final as well as disbursement of gate proceeds from the matches, leaving the NC with the sole prerogative to decide what must be done in these situation. Asante Kotoko claims they did not receive such revises version of the regulations and demand for the semi final against arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak to be played over two-legs, or moved to a neutral ground with the gate proceeds disbursed equally between the two clubs but had their request thrown out by the NC. The Porcupine Warriors have consequently pulled out of the competition, and Kofi Manu, former member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Player and Official Status Committee and the Disciplinary Committee has applauded the step.
“I’m happy with a decision taken by Kotoko for withdrawing from the tournament”, Kofi Manu told Focal Sports on FOX FM. When the tournament started some of us, I openly said that the tournament regulations, Ghana Football Association and even FIFA, the Congress is the supreme and legislative organ of the association, so they make rules. So, the regulations the Normalization Committee, it cannot be binding on anybody, you can decide to play and they (the NC) themselves have shown that what I was saying is true, because you don’t maker rules and change it in the middle of the tournament”, he stated.
In his perspective, Asante Kotoko’s decision to pull out of the competition is an indication of maturity from a club that have played football since 1935 and must be the first to show that football is governed by regulations.
“Kotoko should show the world that it is a matured team, a team that has played football since 1935, so such things they must be the first to show the other clubs that no, there are rules in our football and we won’t sit there to be treated unfairly, I commend Kotoko and I thank them so much”, he reiterated.
Asante Kotoko remains adamant on changing their decision and Hearts of Oak, subject to any future changes will enjoy a walkover to the final of the NC Special Competition tier-one final.
