Official: Asante Kotoko withdraws from NC tier 1 competition

Ghana’s record league winners Asante Kotoko have officially withdrawn from the ongoing Normalization Committee (NC) tier one Special competition after the NC rejected thier petition to play the semi final over two legs and on neutral grounds.

The Porcupine Warriors earlier this week petitioned  the NC, organizing body of the competition to allowed the semi final against group B winners Accra Hearts of Oak to be played on a home and away basis with the gate proceeds equally disbursed between the two clubs, but the NC declined to their request.

The regulations for the competition is silent on venue for the semi final matches, but the NC settled on a one-off semi final game with group winners playing at home. Moreover, gate proceeds would be disbursed to favour the home team with 40%, 30% to the away team while the remaining 30% percent go to the Football Association, in this case the NC.

Asante Kotoko deem the arrangements as injustice to them and have as a result, withdrawn from the competition.

“We have withdrawn from the Tier-One competition following the failure of the Normalization Committee to grant our legal request for a change of venue and equitable distribution of the gate proceeds of our semi-final match against Hearts of Oak”, a statement from the club’s official App read.

On the other hand, Aiyinase based Karela United who are paired against Ashanti Gold SC at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium have equally threatened to withdraw for the same reasons as Kotoko if the NC remains adamant on their stance.

Should Kotoko refuse to rescind their decision, Hearts of Oak would be granted a walkover to the final to face Ashanti Gold SC if Karela makes their withdrawal official.