Hearts May Lose League Title

Accra Mail (Accra) October 16, 2000

Accra Hearts of Oak stand losing six points and three goals for refusing to honour their last league match against Dawu F/C at Dawu, football pundits have surmised.

Talking to a cross-section of football fans on the repercussion of Hearts' failure to honour the match, Mail Sports learnt that the Phobians have contravened the rules and regulation of the GFA.

Football fans with sympathy for Accra Great Olympics were quick to bring their case against King Faisal in the first round of the just-ended league. Of course, the Kotoko elements also brought up their case.

"Two seasons ago, we failed to play Dwarfs at Swedru. The GFA deducted six points from our points build-up, credited Dwarfs with three goals, after placing a heavy fine on us," said the chairman of the Greater-Accra Regional Circles Council, Mr. Agyepong Asiamah.

Mr. Asiamah who is also the First Deputy Chairman of the National Circles Council called on the GFA to let the axe fall squarely on Hearts of Oak.

The episode of course, could not pass without comment from the Kotoko Boss. He says: "Accra Hearts of Oak did not pitch their strength against Dawu, giving Seth Yeboah the points needed to secure his place in the league. It will be interesting to see whether the FA would simply deduct 6points and 3 goals from Hearts or whether they wouldd go further given the importance of this particular game and the belittling of the game by Hearts." Herbert Mensah further pointed out that the image of the FA has to be compromised by this action.

However, a top Hearts man told the Mail Sports that his club wrote to the PLB asking for a postponement of the match in view of the CAF Champions League played yesterday.

If the GFA applies the relevant section of the law, deducting six points, Hearts of Oak will be left with 51 points. In that case Goldfields will win the league with 52 points.

GFA presents League trophies to Hearts

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) presented two league trophies to champion clubs Accra Hearts of Oaks on Sunday during the half time of their CAF champions league match against Lobi Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Mr Walayo Agrah, General Secretary of the GFA, said the late postponement was due to a letter the FA received from the management of Hearts saying they would prefer the cup presented in-front of their teaming fans since they have been part of their victory. He said Hearts would be presented with two trophies, one for keeps, having won it on three previous occasions and the new one for the just ended 2000 league.

Mr Agrah said the FA Cup semi finals matches would come off on Wednesday October 18th at the Accra and Kumasi sports Stadiums. Champion club Accra Hearts of Oak would take on Dawu Youngsters at Accra whiles Goldfields take on Okwawu United at Kumasi with the finals coming off Accra on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Accra Hearts of Oaks’ midfielder Emmanuel Yartey, who for reason’s best known to himself has stopped training with the team, has for no apparent reason has turned down an offer made to him to undergo trials with a club in Dubai. Yartey has reportedly even refused to talk to officials involved in the trial