Herbert Dismisses Kotoko Claims

Former Asante Kotoko chief executive officer, Herbert Mensah has described as unfortunate claims by the current management of Kotoko that there are no documents covering the debt owed Ernst Middendorp.

Herbert Mensah was reacting to claims current Kotoko Chief Executive Officer, Major (rtd) Yaw Larson, that the club's records do not indicate the said debt.

Ernst Middendorp who is currently coach Accra Hearts of Oak has threatened to take Asante Kotoko to FIFA if the club does not pay him the amount of $50,000 owed him as accumulate salaries by Friday (June 25).

Herbert Mensah speaking on Joy FM's Super morning show program on Thursday insisted that he left records indicating the clubs indebtedness to Ernst Middendorp.

“We provided regular accounts and audited accounts to Otumfuo at the time. We shouldn't forget that the same board of directors, the same chairman of the board at the time, P. V Obeng in seat at the time, we did have board meetings and I think if they were to go through minutes of the board meetings, they would see very clearly when Middendorp said he was going leave, due to pressure from some of the existing board members who are there today as well as other people who believe he should not be there.

“We were told to go and reconcile accounts which was then presented to the full board of directors. It was agreed that Middendorp was owed $50,000 and if P.V says he's not aware, then he is liar.

“If other board members who were there at the – Nyamekye and the rest also say they are not aware of documentation and not aware of Middendorp's claims, then they are also liars”, Mensah said.

However Major (rtd) Yaw Larson dismissing the claims by Ernst Middendorp told Joy Sports that the porcupine warriors club would not settle any debt owed the German when there is enough proof to that effect.

“When I came onto the scene, I went through all the documents to find out the indebtedness portfolio of Kotoko and there was no where that I got to know about this $50,000 issue.

“Out of the blue, our Accra representative told me that he had received certain documents from the GFA to the effect that we owe this man and he has reported as to FIFA and FIFA had given GFA a chance to go into this and inform them by a certain date.

“I accordingly informed them that I have no records about it so the GFA should get in touch with FIFA to advice me about the relevant documents they are talking about. I never received any reply, only for one day I was informed that one of the board members was at the GFA and there was understanding that Kotoko should pay that money however, on a pro-visio that certain documents are made available to Kotoko.

“Nothing of that nature has been has been done, I haven't even received any response from the GFA as to my request related to this indebtedness.

“How could we just get around and paid money simply because a certain white man wants money to be paid. We have to do things rightly. I still stand by it that we get documents related to it, we are not in any way obliged to pay him”, Major (rtd) Larson stated.