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Soccer News of Friday, 28 September 2001

Source: GNA

Harry Zakkour to Quit Hearts

Mr Harry Zakkour, chief executive of Accra Hearts of Oak has threatened to quit the African champions at the end of the current season.
Speaking to the GNA Sports on Wednesday, Mr Zahkour said he would relinquish his position as the Chairman of Hearts, sever ties with the team completely and team up with any club which would need his services.
"I am fed up with all these troubles and even if they don't pay me my money I shall go at the end of the season.
"I have used my money to run the club and it is unfair for people to say that I am in Hearts for financial gains."
He said he has been forced to put his property at East Legon up for sale for 260 thousand dollars because of the great financial burden he has borne in the day-to-day administration of Hearts.
Explaining the circumstances of his decision to quit, Mr Zakkour said he acted in his capacity as the chairman of the club by communicating a board decision to sack coach Jones Attuquayefio to him in a letter.
"I only signed the letter. The decision was taken by the board and it is not proper for some unscrupulous elements to incite the supporters against me. I have served Hearts faithfully and it is unfortunate for people to say that I have been bought over by Herbert Mensah.
"Herbert and I are friends. He cannot buy me and I cannot buy him too. We are like brothers even though we belong to the two arch-rivals in the Star Premier league. We understand football and know that the competition between us must be a healthy one especially in the aftermath of the stadium disaster."
Asked why the board decided to sack Jones at this time when the Phobians are still on top of the table, the chairman said the management of the club are not impressed with the performance of team this season.
On rumours making rounds that the board took the action on suspicion that some players and Jones received bribes in order to lose to Kotoko, Mr Zakkour said Dan Quaye has been suspended and is being investigated because he alighted from their bus in Kumasi when the team was returning from Sunyani after a league match against Bofoakwa on September 23.
Meanwhile aggrieved supporters of the team stormed the Abelemkpe office of Mr Ato Ahwoi, Board Chairman of the club on Wednesday in an attempt to lodge a protest against the dismissal of Jones.
Speaking through their spokesman. Mr Abdul Said, an executive member of the Musical Chapter 'O' the supporters said they would not allow any other coach, apart from Jones to coach the team.
They accused management members of trying to impose their players on Jones and threatened to disrupt training seasons of the club if Jones is not reinstated.