Hearts apologise to NSC, GFA and general public

Accra, Sept 2, GNA - Defending League Champions Accra Hearts of Oak have apologised to the National Sports Council (NSC), the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the general public for the overreaction by their fans during the emotionally-charged 18th-week Kinapharma Premier League match against Asante Kotok at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

A statement issued in Accra on Monday and signed by Mr Ashford Tettey Oku, Administrative Manager of the club, said "we believe our fans should have been a little more tolerant for the soccer authorities to deal with the situation instead of over reacting".

It said the club will intensify an educational drive to inculcate the spirit of sportsmanship in their teeming fans.

The statement appealed to the fans to exercise restraint in such matters since the club becomes the loser in the end.

The NSC is withholding 40 million cedis from the club's share of the gate proceeds to replace the damaged plastic chairs of the May 9 stands at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The statement commended the security personnel for their good show, urging the authorities to intensify security network at other league centres.

Irate fans of Accra Hearts of Oak ripped of chairs at the May 9 stands and threw them unto the tartan tracks in protest of a questionable equaliser by Kotoko's Yusif Chibsah after goalkeeper Eben Dida had been injured in the six-yard box.