Accra, Sept 14, GNA 96 Accra Hearts of Oak have asked the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to approve the registration of their two former players, Ishmael Addo and Charles Taylor for the 2006/7 One Touch Premier League, despite the closure of registration.

The Club quoted Article 28 (1d) new clause of the rules which gives the GFA the discretion to sanction the registration of a player beyond the registration period.

Mr Ernest Thompson, Board Secretary of the Club in a statement copied to the GNA Sports said the new clause is to correct unnecessary hardship on players who through no fault of theirs might have not registered during the period of registration.

He said the introduction of the Article from all indications was intended for players who are out of contract but have exceptional circumstances which called for the discretion to be exercised in their favour.

The Board Secretary said, players who plied their trades outside the country but have been released by their clubs with their International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to the GFA should be considered in exceptional cases, hence called for the registration of the two to be sanctioned.

The Club therefore called on the GFA to register the two players to enable them play in the on-going League.

Taylor left Hearts under controversial circumstances at the beginning of the 2004 soccer season for archrivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, whilst Addo has for the past five years been on the trot in Europe in search of greener pastures but has since not been successful. Taylor, who later on transferred to Tunisian side, Etoile D'Sahel failed to make the mark there and returned on a six month loan back to Kotoko.

Kotoko however failed to raise the needed funds for the renewal of the player's stay with the Club. Addo has for the past years been plying his trade with Isreali, Greek and Cyprian clubs but has not been able to make any significant impact.

The GFA, however, closed the player registration process for clubs a day before the start of the league. The second transfer window is expected to open in January.