You are here: HomeSportsSoccer2016 04 12Article 430352

Soccer News of Tuesday, 12 April 2016

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Kotoko reject Tumu Park for FA Cup tie

Asante Kotoko players Asante Kotoko players

Asante Kotoko have rejected the change in venue for their MTN FA Cup round of 32 match against Real 24 Hours FC this Saturday.

The match was originally scheduled to be played at he Wa Sports Stadium but was later moved to the Tumu Park.

The FA Cup Committee explained that the Tumu District Asembly had accepted to repair the broken inner perimeter in order to host the match.

But Kotoko have written to the Ghana Football Association expressing the club’s displeasure with the venue.

In a letter signed by General Manager, Opoku Nti, management made it clear that, Kotoko won’t play at the venue.

"We were initially informed that, the aforementioned match was to be played in Wa only to learn later that, the match has been moved to Tumu after the Upper West Regional Football Association (RFA) Chairman inspected the venue," the letter read.

“Furthermore, the venue cannot be passed for this match without recourse to the Club Licensing Board. Therefore Kumasi Asante Kotoko will not play at that venue and in consequence brings its decision to the notice of the FA” added the letter dated April 12, 2016.

Kotoko, have in two previous FA Cup competitions, played at centres which have terrible playing surface.

On December 24, 2013, the Porcupines beat Waiga United 4-0 on an undulating, dusty pitch at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

On March 25, 2015, the Porcupines again trekked to Bolgatanga to play Paga Crocodiles on the same uneven field.

They won 4-1. This time, management insists that, the team won’t play at any venue that doesn’t satisfy the demands of the Club Licensing Board.

Management also argues that, the club's last game in the FA Cup against AK Shion was played at the Coronation Park, Sunyani, becasue the Chiraa Park, where Shion plays didn't meet the standards of the Club Licensing Board.

The club's managers wonder why the same principle can't be applied concerning the upcoming game.