Special competition: hearts deny asking for a foreign referee for Kotoko's shock

Sports News from Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

2019-05-29

Hearts of Oak's communications director, Kwame Opare Addo, said his team had not asked a foreign referee to referee his semifinal match against rival Asante Kotoko in the special competition .

The end of the match is scheduled for June 16, 2019 at the sports stadium in Accra.

Hearts of Oak is the winner of Zone B and Asante Kotoko is ranked second in zone A of the Ghana Football Federation's special competition to stage this fierce battle.

"Hearts of Oak has not asked for foreign referees. We trust our local arbitrators and the appointing authorities. We did not make such a request. It does not matter which referee officiates, "he told Happy FM.

He further added that the Standards Committee should not respond to Kotoko's request that the game be played on neutral ground and respect the rules governing this competition.

According to the organizers, the semi-final is supposed to be a one-off match, but Kotoko is particularly worried about the possibility of the match being played by two.

"We should not entertain Kotoko to ask for neutral ground, because they knew the rules of the competition before arriving here. They have all the documents that govern the competition.

"Since when did they start protesting against the Accra terrain? Because they're playing at Hearts of Oak, they're now asking for neutral ground. If we play at Baba Yara Stadium, they will ask that the match be played on neutral ground.

"We should not encourage them because they always bring that kind of stuff, why are not Karela FC or Ashgold protesting for neutral ground?", He is questioned.

The clash is already gaining momentum, as the last problem now is the percentage of revenue from the door to be shared on the same day, while the home team (Hearts) grabs 40% and the traveling team (Kotoko), 30%.

The management of Kotoko claims an equal share of the product.