Kotoko Apologise For Verbal Attack On Referee

Kumasi Asante Kotoko has dissociated itself from disparaging comments made by a member of the club's board of directors, Wilberforce Mfum, towards FIFA Referee Atikese.

Mr Mfum reportedly told an Accra based radio station that Kotoko were opposed to the appointment of Atikese as referee for Sunday's league game against Accra Hearts of Oak.

The former Black Stars player argued that Ewe referees are often unfair towards Kotoko.

Mfum's comments have been met with strong criticisms from football circles.

The Police Administration has issued a statement condemning the comments and assuring the public of increased security for Sunday's match.

The Ghana Football Association has also issued a statement condemning the pronouncement from the ex-Black Stars player.

Meanwhile, Kumasi Asante Kotoko board chairman, Mr P.V Obeng says the views expressed by Mr Mfum do not reflect the position of the club.

He has however apologised on behalf of the board and insists the club has no objections over the choice of referee Atikese for Sunday's match.

'We have no intention of taking Kotoko on the partisan path. Indeed it will be infantile on our part to take such a tribalistic stance position. I must state that the purported stance taken by Mr Mfum is not the official position of the club.'

'Nevertheless, I wish to apologize profusely to the GFA, the Referee's association and the individuals involved on behalf of my board member.' Mr Obeng said. Accra Residents Call For Mfum's Arrest This morning residents of Accra as well as listeners of HappyFm in the southern part of the country were stunned when Wilberforce Mfum a representative of Kumasi Asante Kotoko stated in an interview that "We will kill more people than we did during the May 9 if our match is handled by an ewe referee".

He went on further..."We in Kotoko will not tolerate any referee from the Volta region to referee in this all important, if that should happen l bet you that we will repeat May 9th."

The words of Wilberforce Mfum did not go done well with football fans in the metropolis, they have therefore appealled to the security apparatus to arrest and prosecute him. Randy Abbey an Accra Hearts of Oak supporter has requested for a copy of the tape from Happy Fm to enable him make a formal report at the Police Station.

Mfum is a national hero when it comes to football and was once a great player for Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

Meanwhile the match between Hearts and Kotoko which comes off on Sunday 15th May 2005 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium will be handled by referee John Atikese in the middle, and Justice Yeboah and Nicholas Djomoh from Koforidua. The referees tribes were not mentioned.

Source: LIZALIZA @