Hearts coach denies rumour

THE technical head of Champion club Accra Hearts of Oak, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, has denounced match throwing rumours hanging over the club lately, and slammed Ghanaian referees for arrogating to themselves the right to decide which teams should win the closing matches of the league.

Coming out uncharacteristically harsh on officiating in last week's loss to Obuasi Goldfields at the Len Clay Stadium, Mr. Attuquayefio tasked the Professional League Board to enforce an earlier decision to send independent observers to the various league centres.

He said while this could help discipline officials who corrupt the game, it would also help curb rumours such as the on-going one which creates the impression that Hearts have been deliberately losing certain games because the league championship is already in their grips.

Bursting with anger while speaking to the Graphic Sports, the visibly disturbed coach said it will be defeatist to the Spirit of fair play if they decided to throw matches to favour certain clubs, just because they have won the league.

He noted that once they are in contention for the continental trophy this year, the best thing for Hearts is to maintain their winning form on the domestic scene to motivate the boys when the champions league resumes next month.

"This is why it is very disheartening to see certain match officials capitalising on the current situation to favour some clubs at our expense," Jones bemoaned.

He referred generally to the poor performance of referees who have handled their recent outstanding matches and specifically mentioned the behaviour of referee Solomon Yamoah in last Sunday's match against Goldfields as the most appaling.

"Much as I respect the authority of referees on the field of play, for a respected referee like Solomon Yamoah to decide which team should win a particular match is unfortunate, "he complained bitterly.

Coach Attuquayefio said because Hearts have an image to protect, they would want to end the league with as few defeats as possible and thus called on referees to ensure that their opponents win on merit.

Attributing Hearts recent defeats to the machination of referees, Sir Cecil charged on the local referees body, RAG, to take up the issue and ensure that its rod of discipline falls heavily on the bad nuts among them.

Hearts three away losses so far in the league this season have all been outstanding matches. They first lost 0-1 to Ghapoha at Tema, went down 2-3 to Dwarfs at Cape Coast and then lost 1-2 to Goldfields at the Len Clay Stadium.

Last Wednesday, the patience of Hearts supporters ran out at Sunyani where the champion club played a goalless drawn game with bottom club B. A. United.

Police had to protect the Hearts players and officials from their own irate fans.