Kumasi Asante Kotoko have threatened withdrawal from the league as one of hard decisions that will herald an unfavourable judgment on their protest against Bofoakwa Tano. According to them, those "hard decisions" have become necessary because...,

...the protest against an alleged unqualified player, Shaibu Mohammed, fielded by Bofoakwa in their ninth week GT premiership game "borders on security concerns".

Their present stance ahead of the expected release of the ruling today, Kotoko claim, has been informed by feelers from GFA Disciplinary Committee inside sources to the effect that the original ruling on the relevant matter is being doctored by the same committee.

"Information reaching Kotoko suggests that your outfit has influenced the earlier ruling that you gave on the protest," Alhaji Abubakar Salifu, Chairman of the Interim Management Team, wrote in a letter to the Disciplinary Committee. "The club and its followers will not entertain any last minute change by the Committee," the letter said.

In the original protest, Kotoko claimed Mohammed was unqualified to play in their ninth week 1-1 drawn game at Sunyani on June 12. More than a month after they put in the protest, Kotoko said the Disciplinary Committee has delayed unduly with its ruling on the matter.

The letter has, however, attracted strong criticism from GFA insiders who consider the contents as having the capacity to influence the ruling on the case. Graphic Sports investigations revealed that the ruling has been delayed till today because of some new evidence produced on the subject.

Pleading anonymity, one source said the avenues for redress are well structured within the FA system, none of which Kotoko have yet exhausted. Indeed, unsatisfied parties to a dispute could file for appeal and proceed to ask for a review of any ruling if they are still unsatisfied.

"Rushing with such a threat ahead of the ruling on the case can influence the decision of the members of the Committee," the source said. The threat by Kotoko, whether real or ordinary mouth talk, could revive the unsavory confrontation that erupted between the club and members of the clubs welfare body, GHALCA, in the wake of Kotoko's withdrawal from a Coca-Cola Top 4 game against Hearts of Lions last January.

In that experience, it took the intervention of some eminent football personalities, including former GFA Charmen, Alhaji M.N.D. Jawula and Nana Sam Brew Butler, for 12 other premiership clubs to accept Kotoko back into their fold. The mood of Alhaji Salifu's letter, however, emphasized the club's refusal to be content with their current leadership of the league championship.

After dumping bitter foes, Ashantigold, 1-0 in Kumasi last Sunday, Kotoko assumed the top spot, courtesy Hasaacas' 1-1 draw with holders, Hearts of Oak, in Accra. Kotoko descend on Accra on Sunday to face Liberty Professionals in a difficult tie, but their threat, if carried out, could rob them of a chance for a possible second title triumph in three seasons.