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Soccer News of Friday, 20 July 2001

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Hearts condemn attack on Jones

THE Management of Accra Hearts of Oak yesterday condemned an attack on the club’s Technical Director, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, by some fans after last Wednesday’s league match with Adansiman at the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi.

The defending champions were held to a scoreless draw by struggling Adansiman, in a game Hearts failed to sparkle. And immediately after the game, suspected irate supporters, apparently disappointed at the team’s performance, charged on Attuquayefio and reportedly attacked him physically.

They had earlier rained insults on the technical bench during the course of the match.

The pent-up fury in the supporters reportedly reached dangerous levels, compelling Attuquayefio to seek shelter in the team bus as they left the stadium.

Unfortunately, the angry reaction trod on the heel of the team as another group of supporters poured invectives on the players to provocative levels at a nearby filling station but the players were restrained from reacting.

Hearts disapproval of the unruly behaviour, contained in a press release signed by the club’s Administrative Manager, Mr Ashford Tettey Oku, reminded the supporters of the need for responsible behaviour towards players and team officials in spite of the uncertainty and passion associated with the game.

Hearts management made it clear to their loyal fans that the club’s quest for an unprecedented fifth successive league championship would not come easy as a result of stiff opposition from other clubs desirous of ending the Phobians dominance.

The management also identified the cause of Hearts performance lately to player fatigue after last year’s hectic programme, low morale after the cancellation of the World Cup Championship, and morale difficulties in blending their new players and old faithful to form a winsome side.

The club asked the teeming supporters to rally behind the players and technical staff during this period of difficulty, since any act of lawlessness would be at a great cost to Hearts.