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Soccer News of Monday, 11 February 2002

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Hearts' fans damn Okudzeto report

Supporters of Accra Hearts of Oak said they were saddened at the apparent silence of the Okudzeto Commission's report on the role played by supporters of Kumasi Asante Kotoko which allegedly triggered off the May 9 Accra Sports Stadium disaster.

In a 21-point resolution passed at the end of the Seventh Annual Chapter Delegates Assembly of the Supports in Accra said they were "disappointed at the open bias reflected in the Sam Okudzeto Commission's report on the May 9 disaster".

About 126 fans were killed on May 9 during a midweek league match between arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko after police personnel fired several canisters of tear gas into the Ade Coker Stands in reaction to misbehaviour by irate fans.

The resolution said fans of Kotoko should be condemned for destroying state property at the Stadium and added that until Kotoko fans apologised, Hearts should not honour any friendly match with the club.

The resolution, which touched on several issues affecting players of the club, urged government to start disbursing the Stadium Disaster Fund to the affected people. It cautioned the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to refrain from using Hearts players merely as training horses only to be dumped later adding "or else, we will advise ourselves".