Mr Frank Osei-Wusu, a board member of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, has categorically denied allegations that he belongs to or supports any group, clique or faction in the current wrangling in the club.

Reacting to the recent disruption of a press conference by the Concerned Supporters Union of Kotoko by a mob, Mr. Osei-Wusu stated that being someone with an undying and unbending affection for Kotoko, he would not under any circumstance conduct himself in any manner which would embarrass or derail the glorious aspirations of the club.

Describing the incident as regrettable, he wondered why a press conference convenced by persons who have Kotoko at heart could be disrupted violently by another group which also claims allegiance to the same club.

"As a person who has followed the fortunes of Kotoko from childhood, I am truly ashamed and dismayed at the incident involving people who ostensibly have a common cause, to wit making Kotoko the winsome and formidable team we have always known it to be until recently", he bemoaned.

According to him, he could have ignored the allegation which was said to have been made by the leader of the people who disrupted the event, but decided to come out to set the records straight upon reflection.

"I must at the same time put on record my utter disgust at the recently-acquired taste and thirst for violence which has engulfed our club. Any true supporter of Kotoko would not resort to violence with a view to stifling the criticism of people who have been brought up in the great Kotoko tradition of consensus-building and an abiding desire to let all persons express their opinions", he stressed.

He noted that instead of asserting his undoubted legal rights in respect of the imputation of chicanery and clear slander and libel against him by those who disrupted the press conference, he would rather direct his energies to finding solutions to the seemingly endless inability of the club to re-assert its dominance of the league.

Meanwhile, the police have appealed to all journalists who were allegedly heckled and assaulted during last Tuesday's press conference at the International Press Centre to come forward and assist them in their investigations.

Speaking to the Graphic yesterday, Chief Supt. Jonathan Yakubu, Deputy Regional Commander, revealed that the police have embarked on a full-scale investigation into the incident and would need the support of all to make a meaningful headway.

He disclosed that the leader of the group who disrupted the press conference, Mahmoud Hussein, 33, surrendered himself to the Nima Police last Friday following an official complaint by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

According to Chief Supt. Yakubu, Hussein who is an executive member of Circle 69 was released soon after his statement had been taken in view of last Sunday's African Cup Winners Cup match involving Kotoko and A.S. Police in Kumasi.

The Deputy Regional Commander, however, regretted the absence of police personnel at the time of the incident which was due to the fact that the organisers did not notify the police about the event in the first place. Meanwhile, the GJA has asked the group of attackers to replace the 40 plastic chairs which were damaged at the Press Centre during the attack.

According to the GJA General Secretary, Mr Bright Blewu, even though the seats appeared to be in good condition in the wake of the incident, a thorough inspection has revealed that they are now in a bad condition and therefore call for replacement.

He also noted that a reporter from the Free Press lost his bag containing a recorder and other items during the melee while the lens of a video camera belonging to Metro TV was also destroyed.